Cloning and uses of the genetic locus bcl-6

ABSTRACT

This invention provides an isolated vertebrate nucleic acid molecule the bcl-6 locus. This invention also provides an isolated human nucleic acid molecule of bcl-6 locus. This invention further provides a nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid molecule of at least 15 nucleotides capable of specifically hybridizing with a sequence included within the sequence of the nucleic acid molecule of bcl-6 locus. This invention provides an isolated vertebrate nucleic acid molecule of bcl-6 operatively linked to a promoter of RNA transcription. This invention provides a vector which comprises the nucleic acid molecule of bcl-6 locus. This invention provides a host vector system for the production of a polypeptide encoded by bcl-6 locus, which comprises the vector of bcl-6 locus in a suitable host. This invention provides a polypeptide encoded by the isolated vertebrate nucleic acid molecule of bcl-6 locus. This invention provides an antibody capable of binding to polypeptide encoded by bcl-6 locus. This invention provides an antagonist capable of blocking the expression of the polypeptide encoded by bcl-6. This invention provides an antisense molecule capable of hybridizing to the nucleic acid molecule of bcl-6. This invention provides an assay for non-Hodgkin&#39;s lymphoma, a method for screening putative therapeutic agents for treatment of non-Hodgkin&#39;s lymphoma and a method for diagnosing B-cell lymphoma in a subject. Finally, this invention provides a method of treating a subject with non-Hodgkin&#39;s lymphoma.

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/074,967, filed on Jun. 9, 1993, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

[0002] The invention disclosed herein was made with Government support under NIH Grant Nos. CA-44029, CA-34775, CA-08748 and CA-37295 from the Department of Health and Human Services. Accordingly, the U.S. Government has certain rights in this invention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Throughout this application various references are referred to within parenthesis. Disclosures of these publications in their entireties are hereby incorporated by reference into this application to more fully describe the state of the art to which this invention pertains. Full bibliographic citation for these references may be found at the end of each Experimental Detail Section.

[0004] Non-random chromosomal abnormalities are found in up to 90% of patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and have been shown to play an important role in lymphomagenesis by activating proto-oncogenes (1). Some of these translocations, which are associated with specific histologic subsets of NHL, have been characterized at the molecular level. In the t(8;14), t(8;22), and t(2;8) translocations associated with Burkitt Lymphoma, L₃-type acute lymphoblastic leukemia and AIDS-associated non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), a known proto-oncogene, c-myc, was found juxtaposed to the immunoglobulin (Ig) loci (2,3). In the t(14;18) translocation, which is implicated in follicular-type NHL, molecular analysis of the sequences linked to the Ig locus led to the identification of a novel proto-oncogene, bcl-2 (4-6). The t(11;14)(q13;q32), mainly associated with “mantle zone” lymphoma, appears to involve the juxtaposition of the Ig heavy-chain locus with the bcl-1 locus, the site of the candidate proto-oncogene PRAD-1/cyclin D1 (7,8). These well characterized chromosome translocations are associated, however, with only a fraction of NHL cases, while a number of other recurrent translocations remain to be characterized for their genetic components.

[0005] One important example of such cytogenetic abnormalities is represented by various alterations affecting band 3q27. This region is involved in translocations with various chromosomal sites including, but not limited, to those carrying the Ig heavy-(14q32) or light- (2p12, 22q11) chain loci (9,10). Overall, 3q27 breakpoints are detectable in 7-12% of B-cell NHL cases by cytogenetic analysis, with t(3;22)(q27;q11) being the most frequent type detectable in 4-5% of NHL (9). The clinicopathologic relevance of 3q27 breakpoints is underscored by its consistent association with diffuse-type NHL, a frequent and clinical aggressive subtype for which no specific molecular lesion has yet been identified (9).

[0006] The recurrence of 3q27 breakpoints in NHL has prompted a search for the corresponding proto-oncogene. This invention discloses the cloning of clustered 3q27 breakpoints from two NHL cases carrying t(3;14) (q27;q32) translocations and the identification of genomic rearrangements within the same breakpoint region in additional NHL cases carrying translocations involving 3q27. Within the same region, a transcriptional unit has been identified, which represents the candidate proto-oncogene (bcl-6) associated with 3q27 translocations in B-NHL.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] This invention provides an isolated vertebrate nucleic acid molecule of bcl-6 locus. This invention provides an isolated vertebrate DNA molecule of bcl-6 locus. This invention provides an isolated vertebrate cDNA molecule of bcl-6. This invention provides an isolated genomic DNA molecule of bcl-6. This invention provides an isolated vertebrate RNA molecule of bcl-6. This invention provides an isolated human nucleic acid molecule of bcl-6 locus.

[0008] In addition, this invention provides a nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid molecule of at least 15 nucleotides capable of specifically hybridizing with a sequence included within the sequence of the nucleic acid molecule of bcl-6.

[0009] In addition, this invention provides an isolated vertebrate DNA molecule of bcl-6 operatively linked to a promoter of RNA transcription. This invention provides a vector which comprises the isolated vertebrate DNA molecule of bcl-6.

[0010] In addition, this invention provides the above vector, wherein the isolated nucleic acid molecule is linked to a plasmid.

[0011] In addition, this invention provides a host vector system for the production of a polypeptide encoded by bcl-6 locus, which comprises the above vector in a suitable host.

[0012] In addition, this invention provides a method of producing a polypeptide encoded by bcl-6 locus, which comprises growing the above host vector system under suitable conditions permitting production of the polypeptide and recovering the polypeptide so produced.

[0013] In addition, this invention provides a polypeptide encoded by the isolated vertebrate nucleic acid molecule of bcl-6 locus. Further, this invention provides an antibody capable of binding to polypeptide encoded by bcl-6 locus.

[0014] In addition, this invention provides an antagonist capable of blocking the expression of the polypeptide encoded by bcl-6.

[0015] In addition, this invention provides an antisense molecule capable of hybridizing to the nucleic acid molecule of bcl-6.

[0016] In addition, this invention provides an assay for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a method for screening putative therapeutic agents for treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and a method for diagnosing B-cell lymphoma.

[0017] Finally, this invention provides a method of treating a subject with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

[0018] This invention further provides a method of degrading BCL-6 in cells comprising administering a molecule which induces phosphorylation of BCL-6 and thereby induces BCL-6 degradation.

[0019] This invention provides a method of treating a subject with lymphoma which comprises administering an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a molecule which induces phosphorylation of BCL-6 protein so as to induce degradation of BCL-6 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, thereby treating the subject with lymphoma.

[0020] This invention provides a method of deceasing BCL-6 levels in cells comprising administering a compound which interferes with transcription of bcl-6 and thereby prevents expression of BCL-6 protein so as to thereby deceasing BCL-6 levels in the cells.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0021]FIG. 1: Immunoglobulin gene rearrangement analysis of KC1445 and SM1444 DNA. DNA extracted from the cell lines U937 (monocytic leukemia) and SK-N-MC (neuroblastoma) were used as controls for non-rearranged, germ-line Ig genes. In the left panel, the arrow on the left points to the rearranged J_(H) fragment which does not contain C_(μ) sequences in KC1445 DNA, while the two arrows on the right point to the two distinct fragments containing J_(H) or C_(μ) sequences in SM1444 DNA.

[0022]FIG. 2: Molecular cloning of the chromosomal breakpoints from two NHL cases with t(3;14). Illustrated are the maps of two representative phage clones spanning the breakpoint regions in case SM1444 (SM-71) and KC1445 (KC-51). Chromosome 14 portions of the phage inserts are indicated by a solid line with hatched and black boxes representing switch sequences and C_(μ) exons, respectively. Vertical arrows point to the junctions of chromosome 3 and 14 sequences. The probes used for Southern (FIG. 4) and Northern (FIG. 5) analysis are illustrated below the SM-71 map. Restriction enzyme sites are indicated as: B=BamHI; H=HindIII; R=EcoRI; G=BblII; S=sacI.

[0023]FIG. 3: Localization of phage SM-71 sequences to chromosomes 3 and 14 by fluorescence in situ hybridization. Consistent hybridization signals at 3q27 (arrow in panel A) and 14q32 (arrow in panel B) demonstrated that the insert is derived from the translocation junction.

[0024] FIGS. 4A-4C: Southern blot hybridization analysis of bcl-6 rearrangements in NHL carrying 3q27 breakpoints. The probes used are illustrated in FIG. 2. U937 and SK-N-MC DNAs are used as germ-line controls since their hybridization pattern was identical to the one observed in a panel of 19 control DNAs tested. The detected cytogenetic abnormalities affecting 3q27 in each case are: KC1445: t(3;14) (q27;q32); SM1444: t(3;14) (q27;q32); TF1403: t (3; 14) (q27;q32) ; LD1411: t (3, 14) (q27; q32); EM352: t (3; 22) (q27; q11) ; CF755: t (3; 12) (q 27 ; q11); S0955:der(3)t(3;5) (q27;q31).

[0025]FIG. 5: Identification of the bcl-6 transcriptional unit. 15 μg of total RNA isolated from the indicated human cell lines was analyzed by Northern blot hybridization using the Sac 4.0 probe (see FIG. 2). CB33:EBV-immortalized human B lymphoblastoid cell line; HeLa: human cervical carcinoma cell line; Daudi: human Burkitt lymphoma cell line; Hut78: human T-cell leukemia cell line. Hybridization of the same filter to a mouse GAPDH probe is shown as control for RNA amount loaded in each lane. The faint band comigrating with 28S RNA in all the lanes may be the result of cross-hybridization with ribosomal RNA sequences.

[0026]FIG. 6: Map of normal human BCL-6 locus. A recombinant genomic DNA library derived from normal placenta DNA was obtained from STRATAGENE Inc and screened by plaque hybridization using the Sac 4.0 probe. Three recombinant phages were obtained (φ1-3 in the figure) whose inserts have been mapped and shown to overlap on approximately 30 kilobases of genomic DNA representing the BCL-6 locus. These sequences containing bcl-6 exons since they hybridize to the cDNA probe. The precise position of the exons has only been approximately determined and is schematically indicated in the figure. The position of the breakpoints observed in various lymphoma cases is also indicated.

[0027]FIG. 7: pSac 40 plasmid construction.

[0028]FIG. 8: pGB31 and pGB3s plasmid construction.

[0029] FIGS. 9A-9D: cDNA and Amino Acid Sequences of BCL-6 (SEQ ID NOs. 1 and 2). The Sac 4.0 probe was used to screen a recombinant phage cDNA library constructed from Bjab B cell lymphoma line RNA. A 4.0 kilobase cDNA was isolated and its nucleotide sequence was determined. It contains a long open reading frame potentially coding for 706 amino acid protein which contains five zinc-finger domains (underlined in the figure; C and H residues which identify the C2H2-type zinc-finger structure are indicated in bold).

[0030] FIGS. 1OA-10B: Structure of BCL-6 cDNA and sequence of its predicted protein product. FIG. 10A: Schematic representation of the full-length BCL-6 cDNA clone showing the relative position of the open reading frame (box) with 5′ and 3′ untranslated sequences (lines flanking the box). The approximate positions of the zinc-finger motifs (Zn++) and the NH₂-terminal homology (shaded area) with other proteins are also indicated. FIG. 10B: The predicted amino acid sequence of the BCL-6 protein. The residues corresponding to the six zinc-finger motifs (H-C links). The GenBank Accession number for BCL-6 cDNA and amino acid sequences is U00115.

[0031]FIG. 11: Homology of the NH₂-terminal region of BCL-6 to other Krüppel zinc-finger proteins, viral (VA55R), or cellular non-zinc-finger (kelch) proteins. Black background indicates identical residues found four or more times at a given position; grey indicates conserved residues that appear in at least four sequences at a given position. Conserved amino acid substitutions are defined according to scheme (P, A, G, S, T), (Q, N, E, D), (H, K, R) , (L, I, V, M) , and (F< Y< W). Numbering is with respect to the methionine initiation codon of each gene.

[0032]FIG. 12: Exon-intron organization of the BCL-6 gene and mapping of breakpoints detected in DLCL. Coding and non-coding exons are represented by filled and empty boxes, respectively. The position and size of each exon are approximate and have been determined by the pattern of hybridization of various cDNA probes as well as by the presene of shared restriction sites in the genomic and cDNA. The putative first, second and third exons have been sequenced in the portions overlapping the cloned cDNA sequences. The transcription initiation site has not been mapped (shaded box on 5′ side of first exon). Patient codes (e.e. NC11, 891546 etc.) are grouped according to the rearranged patterns displayed by tumor samples. Arrows indicate the breakpoint position for each sample as determined by restriction enzyme/hybridization analysis. For samples KC1445 and SM1444, the breakpoints have been cloned and the precise positions are known. Restriction sites marked by asterisks have been only partially mapped within the BCL-6 locus. Restriction enzyme symbols are: S, Sac I; B, Bam HI; X, Xba I; H, Hind III, R, Eco RI; G, Bgl II; P, Pst I; Sc, Sca I; St, Stu I; Rs, Rsa I. Tumor samples were collected and analyzed for histopathology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center or at Columbia University.

[0033] FIGS. 13A-13B: Rearrangements of the BCL-6 gene in diffuse large-cell lymphomas (DLCL). Genomic DNA extracted from tumor biopsies of DLCL cases and from normal lymphocytes (lane N) was digested with the indicated restriction enzymes and analyzed by Southern blot hybridization using the Sac 4.0 probe. Abnormal restriction fragments are indicated by the arrows.

[0034] FIGS. 14A-14C: Analysis of BCL-6 rearrangements in AIDS-NHL (FIGS. 14A-14C). DNAs were digested with BamHI (FIG. 14A) or XbaI (FIGS. 14B and 14C) and hybridized to probes Sac4.0 (FIGS. 14A and 14B) or Sac0.8 (FIG. 14C) The BCL-6 germline bands detected by BamHI (11.4 Kb) and XbaI (14 Kb) are indicated. U937 was used as a BCL-6 germline control. Among the cases shown, rearrangements were detected in cases DK782, DK827, and DS16, represented by AIDS-DLCL.

[0035]FIG. 15: Restriction map of the germline BCL-6 locus. Exon-intron organization of the BCL-6 gene. Coding and noncoding exons are represented by filled and empty boxes, respectively. The transcription initiation site has not been mapped (shaded box on 5′ side of first exon). The breakpoints detected in AIDS-NHL are indicated by arrows. Restriction enzyme symbols are: S, SacI; B, BamHI; X, XbaI, R, EcoRI. RE, restriction enzyme.

[0036] FIGS. 16A-16C: Analysis of EBV infection (FIG. 16A) c-MYC rearrangements (FIG. 16B), and p53 mutations (FIG. 16C) in AIDS-NHL. FIG. 16A: Analysis of EBV termini heterogeneity in AIDS-NHL. DNAs were digested with BamHI and subjected to Southern hybridization using a DNA probe specific for the fused termini of the EBV genome. U937, a monocytic leukemia cell line, is used as a negative control. A lymphoblastoid cell line derived by EBV infection of normal polyclonal B cells (NC2) is used as control for polymorphic EBV termini. Representative samples of AIDS-NHL, both positive (DK3794, DK4338, DK2814, DK3973) and negative (DK3479), are shown. FIG. 16B: Southern blot analysis of c-MYC rearrangements in AIDS-NHL. Genomic DNAs from the cases shown was digested with HindIII and probed with clone MC413RC⁴¹, representative of c-MYC exon 3. A lymphoblastoid cell line (NC2) was used as control for c-MYC germline configuration. Among the cases shown, two cases of AIDS-DLCL (DK3537 and DK1446) display a c-MYC rearrangement. FIG. 16C: Analysis by PCR-SSCP of the p53 gene in AIDS-NHL. Representative examples are shown for p53 exon 5. Samples were scored as abnormal when differing from the normal control (N). A sample known to harbor a p53 mutation was used as positive control (POS). Among the cases shown, DK1171, a case of AIDS-SNCCL, shows a p53 mutation which was further characterized by direct sequencing of the PCR product.

[0037] FIGS. 17A-17B: Southern blot analysis of the BCL-6 gene configuration in diffuse large cell lymphomas. Genomic DNA extracted from tumor biopsies was digested with the indicated restriction endonucleases and hybridized using the Sac4.0 probe (19). Rearranged fragments are indicated by the arrows. N=normal control DNA obtained from human lymphocytes.

[0038] FIGS. 18A-18B: FIG. 18A: Freedom from progression in BCL-6 rearranged cases (open circles, top curve) compared to BCL-6 germline cases (closed circles, bottom curve) (P=0.007). FIG. 18B: Overall survival from time of diagnosis for BCL-6 rearranged CLLC (open circle, top curve), compared to BCL-6 germline, BCL-2 germline DLLC (dark triangles, middle curve), and BCL-2 rearranged DLLC (dark boxes, bottom curve)(P=0.02). FIGS. 19A-19C. Phosphorylation of BCL-6 by ERK2 in vitro: (FIG. 19A) Schematic representation of wild-type and mutant GST-BCL-6 fusion proteins. (*) Serines within MAPK phosphorylation sites (PXSP). “ZF” zinc finger domain. (FIG. 19B) ERK2 kinase assays using GST-BCL-6 wild-type and deletion mutants as substrates in the presence of [γ-³²P] -ATP. (FIG. 19C) (Top) ERK2 kinase assay for wild-type (WT) or mutant (Ala333; Ala333,343) GST-BCL6ΔZF proteins. (Bottom) Commassie Blue staining of the gel shown at top demonstrating comparable amounts of proteins loaded. Molecular weight markers are shown at the left.

[0039] FIGS. 20A-20D. BCL-6 protein degradation induced by over-expression of MEK-2E in 293T cells. (FIG. 20A) Western blot analysis of 293T cells transfected with 5 μg of BCL-6 (lanes 1, 3) and 5 μg of MEK-2E (lanes 2,3) using anti-BCL-6 (N-70-6; top) or anti-ERK2 (C-14; middle) antibodies. The results of solid phase ERK2 kinase assay performed on cell extract from the same transfectants used in the top. (FIG. 20B) Western blot (top) and Northern blot (bottom) analysis of BCL-6 in 293T cells transfected with pMT2T-BCL-6 (BCL-6) (5 μg) (lanes 1-7) and various amounts of MEK-2E-CMV (MEK-2E) (lanes 2-4) or MEK-CMV (MEK) (5, 10, or 15 μg) (lanes 5-7) as indicated. (FIG. 20C) Western blot analysis of 293T cell extracts transfected with wild-type BCL-6 (lanes 1-3) or BCL- 6_(Ala333,343) (lanes 4-6) in the absence (lanes 1, 4) or presence (2, 3, 5, 6) of cotransfected MEK-2E. (Bottom) The results of densitometric scanning of the autoradiography; analogous results were obtained in three independent experiments. (FIG. 20D) Analysis of BCL-6 transrepression activity in the presence of active MEK. 293T cells were transfected with 2.0 pmol of B6BS-TK-Luc, 0.04 pmol of pMT2T-BCL-6 (lanes 2-8) or pMT2T-BCL-6_(Ala333,343) (lanes 11-14) and increasing amounts (0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.4 pmol) of MEK-2E (lanes 3-5, 9, 12-14) or MEK (lanes 6-8, 10) as indicated. Cells were harvested 48 hrs after transfection and luciferase activities were measured by a luminometer.

[0040] FIGS. 21A-21B. BCL-6 contains PEST sequences which are required for phosphorylation-induced degradation. (FIG. 21A) Schematic representation of HA-tagged BCL-6 proteins. PEST sequences were identified by the PEST-FIND program. PEST1: AA336-AA351 (KSDCQPNSPTESCSSK) (SEQ ID NO:10), score 9.4; PEST2: AA365-AA371(KSPTDPK) (SEQ ID NO:11), score 5.0; PEST3: AA406-AA430 (RAYTAPPACQPPMEPENLDLQSPTK) (SEQ ID NO:12), score 2.6. (FIG. 21B) 293T cells were transfected with 5 μg of pMT2T vectors expressing HA-BCL-6 (lanes 1-3), HA-BCL-6Δ(300-417) (lanes 4-6), or HA-BCL-6ZF (lanes 7-9) in the absence of MEK-2E (lanes 1, 4, 7) or in the presence of increasing amount (5, 10 μg) of MEK-2E (lanes 2, 5, 8, 3, 6, 9). Forty-eight hrs after transfection, equal amounts of cell lysates were analyzed (after normalization for transfection efficency based on β-galactosidase activity of co-transfected plasmids) by 8% SDS-PAGE and Western blot using anti-HA (12CA5) antibodies.

[0041] FIGS. 22A-22B MAPK-induced BCL-6 degradation is mediated by the ubiquitin/proteasome pathway. (FIG. 22A) Western blot analysis of BCL-6 proteins in 293T cells transfected with BCL-6 in the absence or presence of co-transfected MEK-2E treated with 0.2% DMSO (lanes 1-3), 50 μM Calpain inhibitor II (lanes 4-6), or 50 μM MG132 (lanes 7-9) (added 8hrs after transfection). (FIG. 22B) 293T cells were transfected with BCL-6, His-Ub, and MEK-2E in the absence (lanes 1-4) or presence of MG132 (lanes 5-8). Cell lysates were immunoprecipitated with anti-BCL-6 antibodies (N-70-6) and the immunoprecipitants were analyzed by 6% SDS-PAGE followed by Western blot analysis using anti-ubiquitin antibodies.

[0042] FIGS. 23A-23E. BCL-6 is phosphorylated and degraded by antigen receptor signaling in B cells. Ramos cells (1×10/ml) were treated with anti-IgM (10 g/ml) and harvested at different time points after treatment as indicated. (FIG. 23A) (Top three panels) Equal amounts of cell extracts were used for Western blot analysis using anti-BCL-6 (top), or anti-ERK2 (middle) antibodies, and for solid phase ERK2 kinase assays (MBP, bottom); Equal amounts of RNAs (10 μg) were used for Northern blot analysis with BCL-6 or GAPDH probes (bottom). (FIG. 23B) Hyperphosphorylated BCL-6 proteins are more unstable. Ramos cells were pulse labeled for 1 hour with [³⁵S]methionine and [³⁵S]cysteine, and then treated with anti-IgM (10 μg/ml) for 30 min and subsequently incubated in the presence of an excess of nonradioactive methionine and cysteine for the indicated times (chase). Cell extracts were immunoprecipitated with anti-BCL-6 antibodies and analyzed by SDS-PAGE followed by autoradiography. (FIG. 23C) Anti-IgM induced BCL-6 phosphorylation and degradation is prevented by a specific MEK inhibitor. Western blot analysis of BCL-6 in Ramos cells treated with anti-IgM in the presence of 0.2% DMSO or 50 μM PD098059 (added 30 min before anti-IgM treatment). (FIG. 23D) Anti-IgM induced BCL-6 degradation is prevented by a specific proteasome inhibitor. Western blot analysis of BCL-6 in Ramos cells treated with anti-IgM in the presence of 0.2%. DMSO (lanes 2-4), 50 μM Calpain inhibitor II (lanes 5-7), and 50 μM MG132 (lanes 8-10) (added 1 hr before the treatment). (FIG. 23E) Mutant BCL-6 proteins are resistant to anti-IgM-induced degradation. Ramos cells stably transfected with pHeBo-MT-HA-BCL6, pHeBo-MT-HA-BCL-6_(Ala333,343) and pHeBo-MT-HA-BCL6ZF were treated with 1 μM CdCl₂ for 6 hrs to induce exogenous BCL-6 expression. Cells were then treated with anti-IgM (10 μg/ml) and harvested at different time points as indicated. Equal amounts of cell extracts were loaded on 7% (HA-BCL-6 or HA-BCL-6_(Ala333,343)) or 10% SDS-PAGE (HA-BCL-6ZF) and the amount of exogenous BCL-6 proteins were analyzed by Western blot using anti-HA antibodies (12CA5).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0043] The following standard abbreviations are used throughout the specification to indicate specific nucleotides:

[0044] C=cytosine

[0045] A=adenosine

[0046] T=thymidine

[0047] G=guanosine

[0048] This invention provides an isolated vertebrate nucleic acid molecule of the bcl-6 locus. As used herein, bcl-6 locus means the breakpoint cluster region in B-cell lymphomas. The bcl-6 locus is of 30 kilobase in length containing at least a bcl-6 gene which codes for a protein. Therefore, the bcl-6 locus contains both the 5′ and 3′ flanking region of the coding sequences of the bcl-6 gene.

[0049] In an embodiment, the isolated, vertebrate nucleic acid molecule of bcl-6 locus is DNA. In another embodiment, the isolated, vertebrate nucleic acid of the bcl-6 locus is cDNA. In a further embodiment, the isolated, vertebrate nucleic acid is genomic DNA. In a still further embodiment, the isolated, vertebrate nucleic acid molecule is RNA.

[0050] This invention provides an isolated, human nucleic acid molecule comprising the bcl-6 locus.

[0051] The DNA molecules described and claimed herein are useful for the information which they provide concerning the amino acid sequence of the polypeptide and as products for the large scale synthesis of the polypeptide by a variety of recombinant techniques. The molecule is useful for generating new cloning and expression vectors, transformed and transfected prokaryotic and eukaryotic host cells, and new and useful methods for cultured growth of such host cells capable of expression of the polypeptide and related products.

[0052] Moreover, the isolated vertebrate nucleic acid molecules are useful for the development of probes to study B cell lymphomas.

[0053] This invention provides a nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid molecule of at least 15 nucleotides capable of specifically hybridizing with a sequence included within the sequence of the bcl-6 locus. In an embodiment, this molecule is DNA. In another embodiment, the molecule is RNA.

[0054] As used herein, the phrase “specifically hybridizing” means the ability of a nucleic acid molecule to recognize a nucleic acid sequence complementary to its own and to form double-helical segments through hydrogen bonding between complementary base pairs.

[0055] The above nucleic acid molecule of at least 15 nucleotides capable of specifically hybridizing with a sequence of bcl-6 locus may be used as a probe for bcl-6 sequences. Nucleic acid probe technology is well known to those skilled in the art who will readily appreciate that such probes may vary greatly in length and may be labeled with a detectable label, such as a radioisotope or fluorescent dye, to facilitate detection of the probe. DNA probe molecules may be produced by insertion of a DNA molecule having the full-length or a fragment of the bcl-6 locus into suitable vectors, such as plasmids or bacteriophages, followed by transforming into suitable bacterial host cells, replication in the transformed bacterial host cells and harvesting of the DNA probes, using methods well known in the art. Alternatively, probes may be generated chemically from DNA synthesizers.

[0056] RNA probes may be generated by inserting the full length or a fragment of the bcl-6 locus downstream of a bacteriophage promoter such as T3, T7 or SP6. Large amounts of RNA probe may be produced by incubating the labeled nucleotides with a linearized bcl-6 or its fragment where it contains an upstream promoter in the presence of the appropriate RNA polymerase.

[0057] This invention provides an cDNA molecule of bcl-6 locus operatively linked to a promoter of RNA transcription.

[0058] This invention provides a vector which comprises the nucleic acid molecule of bcl-6 locus. This invention provides the above vector, wherein the isolated nucleic acid molecule is linked to a plasmid.

[0059] This invention further provides isolated cDNA molecule of the bcl-6 locus operatively linked to a promoter of RNA transcription. Various vectors including plasmid vectors, cosmid vectors, bacteriophage vectors and other viruses are well known to ordinary skilled practitioners.

[0060] As an example to obtain these vectors, insert and vector DNA can both be exposed to a restriction enzyme to create complementary ends on both molecules which base pair with each other and are then ligated together with DNA ligase. Alternatively, linkers can be ligated to the insert DNA which correspond to a restriction site in the vector DNA, which is then digested with the restriction enzyme which cuts at that site. Other means are also available and known to an ordinary skilled practitioner.

[0061] In an embodiment, a partial cDNA molecule of the bcl-6 locus is linked to pGEM-7zf(−) and the resulting plasmid is designated as pGB31 (FIG. 8). Plasmid, pGB31 was deposited on Jun. 3, 1993 with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), 12301 Parklawn Drive, Rockville, Md. 20852, U.S.A. under the provisions of the Budapest Treaty for the International Recognition of the Deposit of Microorganism for the Purposes of Patent Procedure. Plasmid, pGB31 was accorded with ATCC Accession Number 75476.

[0062] In an another embodiment, a partial cDNA molecule of the bcl-6 locus is linked to pGEM-7zf(−) and the resulting plasmid is designated as pGB3s (FIG. 8). Plasmid, pGB3s was deposited on Jun. 3, 1993 with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), 12301 Parklawn Drive, Rockville, Md. 20852, U.S.A. under the provisions of the Budapest Treaty for the International Recognition of the Deposit of Microorganism for the Purposes of Patent Procedure. Plasmid, pGB3s was accorded with ATCC Accession Number 75477.

[0063] This invention provides a host vector system for the production of a polypeptide encoded by bcl-6 locus, which comprises the above vector in a suitable host.

[0064] This invention provides the above host vector system, wherein the suitable host is a bacterial cell, insect cell, or animal cell.

[0065] Regulatory elements required for expression include promoter sequences to bind RNA polymerase and transcription initiation sequences for ribosome binding. For example, a bacterial expression vector includes a promoter such as the lac promoter and for transcription initiation the Shine-Dalgarno sequence and the start codon AUG. Similarly, a eukaryotic expression vector includes a heterologous or homologous promoter for RNA polymerase II, a downstream polyadenylation signal, the start codon AUG, and a termination codon for detachment of the ribosome. Such vectors may be obtained commercially or assembled from the sequences described by methods well-known in the art, for example the methods described above for constructing vectors in general. Expression vectors are useful to produce cells that express the polypeptide encoded by the bcl-6 locus.

[0066] This invention further provides an isolated DNA or cDNA molecule described hereinabove wherein the host cell is selected from the group consisting of bacterial cells (such as E.coli) , yeast cells, fungal cells, insect cells and animal cells. Suitable animal cells include, but are not limited to Vero cells, HeLa cells, Cos cells, CV1 cells and various primary mammalian cells.

[0067] This invention provides a method of producing a polypeptide encoded by bcl-6 locus, which comprises growing the above host vector system under suitable conditions permitting production of the polypeptide and recovering the polypeptide so produced.

[0068] This invention provides a polypeptide encoded by the isolated vertebrate nucleic acid molecule of bcl-6 locus.

[0069] This invention provides an antibody capable of binding to polypeptide encoded by bcl-6 locus. In an embodiment, the antibody is monoclonal.

[0070] This invention provides a method to select specific regions on the polypeptide encoded by the bcl-6 locus to generate antibodies. The protein sequence may be determined from the cDNA sequence. Amino acid sequences may be analyzed by methods well known to those skilled in the art to determine whether they produce hydrophobic or hydrophilic regions in the proteins which they build. In the case of cell membrane proteins, hydrophobic regions are well known to form the part of the protein that is inserted into the lipid bilayer of the cell membrane, while hydrophilic regions are located on the cell surface, in an aqueous environment. Usually, the hydrophilic regions will be more immunogenic than the hydrophobic regions. Therefore the hydrophilic amino acid sequences may be selected and used to generate antibodies specific to polypeptide encoded by the bcl-6 locus. The selected peptides may be prepared using commercially available machines. As an alternative, DNA, such as a cDNA or a fragment thereof, may be cloned and expressed and the resulting polypeptide recovered and used as an immunogen.

[0071] Polyclonal antibodies against these peptides may be produced by immunizing animals using the selected peptides. Monoclonal antibodies are prepared using hybridoma technology by fusing antibody producing B cells from immunized animals with myeloma cells and selecting the resulting hybridoma cell line producing the desired antibody. Alternatively, monoclonal antibodies may be produced by in vitro techniques known to a person of ordinary skill in the art. These antibodies are useful to detect the expression of polypeptide encoded by the bcl-6 locus in living animals, in humans, or in biological tissues or fluids isolated from animals or humans.

[0072] The antibody may be labelled with a detectable marker, including but not limited to: a radioactive label, or a calorimetric, luminescent, or fluorescent marker, or gold. Radioactive labels include but are not limited to: ³H ¹⁴C, ³²P, ³³P; ³⁵S, ³⁶Cl, ⁵¹Cr, ⁵⁷Co, ⁵⁹Co, ⁵⁹Fe, ⁹⁰Y ¹²⁵I, ¹³¹I, and ¹⁸⁶ Re. Fluorescent markers include but are not limited to: fluorescein, rhodamine and auramine. Methods of producing the polyclonal or monoclonal antibody are known to one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0073] Further, the antibody complex may be detected by a second antibody which may be linked to an enzyme, such as alkaline phosphatase or horseradish peroxidase. Other enzymes which may be employed are well known to one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0074] This invention provides for the isolated nucleic acid molecule of bcl-6 that is labelled with a detectable marker. The detectable marker may be a radioactive label, a calorimetric, luminescent, or a fluorescent marker. Other detectable markers are known to those skilled in the art as hereinabove described.

[0075] This invention provides an antagonist capable of blocking the expression of the polypeptide encoded by the isolated nucleic acid molecule of bcl-6. The antagonist may be a triplex oligonucleotide capable of hybridizing to nucleic acid molecule bcl-6.

[0076] This invention provides an antisense molecule capable of hybridizing to the nucleic acid molecule bcl-6. The antisense molecule may be DNA or RNA.

[0077] This invention provides a triplex oligonucleotide capable of hybridizing with a double stranded DNA molecule bcl-6.

[0078] The antisense molecule may be DNA or RNA or variants thereof (i.e. DNA with a protein backbone). The present invention extends to the preparation of antisense nucleotides and ribozymes that may be used to interfere with the expression of the receptor recognition proteins at the translation of a specific mRNA, either by masking that mRNA with an antisense nucleic acid or cleaving it with a ribozyme.

[0079] Antisense nucleic acids are DNA or RNA molecules that are complementary to at least a portion of a specific mRNA molecule. In the cell, they hybridize to that mRNA, forming a double stranded molecule. The cell does not translate an mRNA in this double-stranded form. Therefore, antisense nucleic acids interfere with the expression of mRNA into protein. oligomers of about fifteen nucleotides and molecules that hybridize to the AUG initiation codon will be particularly efficient, since they are easy to synthesize and are likely to pose fewer problems than larger molecules upon introduction to cells.

[0080] This invention provides a transgenic nonhuman mammal which comprises the isolated nucleic acid molecule bcl-6 introduced into the mammal at an embryonic stage.

[0081] This invention provides an assay for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, comprising (a) incubating a sample of suitable body fluid for a subject with a monoclonal antibody reactive with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma cells to a solid support, (b) removing unbound body fluid from the support, and (c) determining the level of antigen activity exhibited by the bound body fluid to the support.

[0082] The suitable bodily fluid sample is any bodily fluid sample which would contain non-hodgkin lymphoma cells or fragments thereof. A suitable bodily fluid includes, but is not limited to, serum, plasma, cerebrospinal fluid, and urine. In the preferred embodiment, the suitable bodily fluid sample is serum or plasma. In addition, the body fluid sample may cells from bone marrow, or a supernate from a cell culture. Methods of obtaining a suitable bodily fluid sample from a subject are known to those skilled in the art.

[0083] This invention provides a method for screening putative therapeutic agents for treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, which comprises determining in a first sample from a subject with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma the presence of the isolated nucleic acid molecule bcl-6, administering to the subject a therapeutic amount of the agent such that the agent is contacted with the cell associated with the condition, determining after a suitable period the amount of the isolated nucleic acid molecule in a sample from the treated subject, and comparing the amount of isolated nucleic acid molecule determined in the first sample with the amount determined in the sample from the treated subject, a difference indicating the effectiveness of the agent, thereby screening putative therapeutic agents for treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

[0084] Further, this invention provides an assay system that is employed to identify drugs or other molecules capable of binding to the nucleic acid molecule bcl-6 or proteins, either in the cytoplasm or in the nucleus, thereby inhibiting or potentiating transcriptional activity. Such assay would be useful in the development of drugs that would be specific against particular cellular activity, or that would potentiate such activity, in time or in level of activity.

[0085] The above described probes are also useful for in-situ hybridization or in order to locate tissues which express this gene, or for other hybridization assays for the presence of this gene or its mRNA in various biological tissues.

[0086] The in-situ hybridization technique using the labelled nucleic acid molecule bcl-6 is well known in the art. Essentially, tissue sections are incubated with the labelled nucleic acid molecule to allow the hybridization to occur. The molecule will carry a marker for the detection because it is “labelled”, the amount of the hybrid will be determined based on the detection of the amount of the marker. Further, immunohistochemical protocols may be employed which are known to those skilled in the art.

[0087] This invention provides a method of diagnosing diffuse-type B-cell lymphoma in a subject which comprises detecting in a sample from the subject nucleic acid molecule of bcl-6 locus.

[0088] This invention provides a method for diagnosing B-cell lymphoma in a subject comprising: (a) obtaining DNA sample from the subject; (b) cleave the DNA sample into fragments; (c) separating the DNA fragments by size fractionation; (d) hybridizing the DNA fragments with a nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid molecule of at least 15 nucleotides capable of specifically hybridizing with a sequence included within the sequence of the nucleic acid molecule of the bcl-6 locus to detect the DNA fragment containing the bcl-6 sequence; and (e) comparing the detected DNA fragment from step (d) with the DNA fragment from a known normal subject, the difference in size of the fragments indicating the occurrence of B-cell lymphoma in the subject. In a preferred embodiment, the above diagnostic method is for diffuse-type B-cell lymphomas.

[0089] A person of ordinary skill in the art will be able to obtain appropriate DNA sample for diagnosing B-cell lymphoma in a subject. The DNA sample obtained by the above described method may be cleaved by restriction enzyme. The uses of restriction enzymes to cleave DNA and the conditions to perform such cleavage are well-known in the art.

[0090] In an embodiment, the size fractionation in step (c) of the above-described method is effected by a polyacrylamide gel. In another embodiment, the size fractionation is effected by an agarose gel.

[0091] This invention also provides the above-described diagnosis method wherein step the nucleic acid molecule in step (d) is labeled with a detectable marker. The detectable marker includes but is not limited to a radiolabelled molecule, a fluorescent molecule, an enzyme, or a ligand.

[0092] In a preferred embodiment, the above-described diagnosis method further comprises transferring the DNA fragments into a solid matrix before the hybridization step (d). One example of such solid matrix is nitrocellulose paper.

[0093] As an example for the above-described diagnosis method is shown in FIGS. 4A-4C where different NHL sample are analyzed. More lymphoma cases and their breakpoints are shown in FIG. 6.

[0094] This invention also provides a method for diagnosing B-cell lymphoma in a subject comprising: (a) obtaining RNA sample from the subject; (b) separating the RNA sample into different species by size fractionation; (c) hybridizing the RNA species with a nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid molecule of at least 15 nucleotides capable of specifically hybridizing with a sequence included within the sequence of the nucleic acid molecule of the bcl-6 locus to detect the RNA species containing the bcl-6 sequence; and (d) comparing the RNA species obtained from (c) with the RNA species from a known normal subject, the difference in size of the species indicating the occurrence of B-cell lymphoma in the subject.

[0095] In an embodiment, the size fractionation in step (b) is effected by a polyacrylamide or agarose gel.

[0096] This invention also provides the above-described method where in step (c), the nucleic acid molecule is labeled with a detectable marker. The detectable marker includes but is not limited to a radiolabelled molecule, a fluorescent molecule, an enzyme, or a ligand.

[0097] This invention also provides the above-method further comprises transferring the RNA species into a solid matrix before step (c).

[0098] This invention also provides various uses of bcl-6 locus/gene an its derivatives. This invention further provides a method for diagnosis of B cell lymphoma and/or diffuse-type B cell lymphoma using bcl-6 DNA probes or synthetic oligonucleotide primers derived from bcl-6 sequences to detect bcl-6 rearrangements/mutations by Southern blotting PCR or other DNA based techniques.

[0099] This invention also provides a method of diagnosis of B cell lymphoma and/or diffuse-type B cell lymphoma using bcl-6 DNA probes or synthetic oligonucleotide primers derived from bcl-6 sequences to detect abnormal bcl-6 RNA species by Northern blotting, PCR or other RNA-based techniques.

[0100] This invention further provides a method of diagnosis of B cell lymphoma and/or diffuse-type B cell lymphoma using antiserum or monoclonal antibodies directed against the bcl-6 protein product(s).

[0101] This invention provides a method of treating a subject with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma comprising administering an effective amount of the antisense molecule of the nucleic acid molecule bcl-6 operatively linked to a suitable regulatory element coupled with a therapeutic DNA into a tumor cell of a subject, thereby treating the subject with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

[0102] This invention provides a method of treating a subject with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, comprising administering an effective amount of the antagonist capable of blocking the expression of the polypeptide encoded by the isolated nucleic acid molecule of bcl-6, and a suitable acceptable carrier, thereby treating the subject with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

[0103] Further, as is known to those of ordinary skill in the art effective amounts vary with the type of therapeutic agent. It is known to those of ordinary skill in the art how to determine an effective amount of a suitable therapeutic agent.

[0104] The preparation of therapeutic compositions which contain polypeptides, analogs or active fragments as active ingredients is well understood in the art. Typically, such compositions are prepared as injectables, either as liquid solutions or suspensions, however, solid forms suitable for solution in, or suspension in, liquid prior to injection can also be prepared. The preparation can also be emulsified. The active therapeutic ingredient is often mixed with excipients which are pharmaceutically acceptable and compatible with the active ingredient. Suitable excipients are, for example, water, saline, dextrose, glycerol, ethanol, or the like and combinations thereof. In addition, if desired, the composition can contain minor amounts of auxiliary substances such as wetting or emulsifying agents, pH buffering agents which enhance the effectiveness of the active ingredient.

[0105] A polypeptide, analog or active fragment can be formulated into the therapeutic composition as neutralized pharmaceutically acceptable salt forms. Pharmaceutically acceptable salts include the acid addition salts (formed with the free amino groups of the polypeptide or antibody molecule) and which are formed with inorganic acids such as, for example, hydrochloric or phosphoric acids, or such organic acids as acetic, oxalic, tartaric, mandelic, and the like. Salts formed from the free carboxyl groups can also be derived from inorganic bases such as, for example, sodium, potassium, ammonium, calcium, or ferric hydroxides, and such organic bases as isopropylamine, trimethylamine, 2-ethylamino ethanol, histidine, procaine, and the like.

[0106] The subjects contained herein may be a mammal, or more specifically a human, horse, pig, rabbit, dog, monkey, or rodent. In the preferred embodiment the subject is a human.

[0107] The compositions are administered in a manner compatible with the dosage formulation, and in a therapeutically effective amount. Precise amounts of active ingredient required to be administered depend on the judgment of the practitioner and are peculiar to each individual.

[0108] Suitable regimes for initial administration and booster shots are also variable, but are typified by an initial administration followed by repeated doses at one or more hour intervals by a subsequent injection or other administration.

[0109] As used herein administration means a method of administering to a subject. Such methods are well known to those skilled in the art and include, but are not limited to, administration topically, parenterally, orally, intravenously, intramuscularly, subcutaneously or by aerosol. Administration of the agent may be effected continuously or intermittently such that the therapeutic agent in the patient is effective to treat a subject with non-hodgkin's lymphoma.

[0110] Finally, this invention provides a therapy of B cell lymphoma and/or diffuse-type B cell lymphoma using anti bcl-6 reagents including specific antisense sequences and compounds interfering with bcl-6 functions.

[0111] This invention further provides a method of degrading BCL-6 in cells comprising administering a molecule which induces phosphorylation of BCL-6 and thereby induces BCL-6 degradation. In an embodiment of the above-described method of the molecule which induces phosphorylation of the BCL-6 is a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). In another embodiment of the method of the molecule which induces phosphorylation of the BCL-6 is a functionally active mutant of a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). In an embodiment of the method the MAPK includes but is not limited to ERK-1 or ERK-2. In an embodiment the BCL-6 is phosphorylated either at one phosphorylation site or at multiple sites. In a preferred embodiment of the method, the molecule which induces phosphorylation of the BCL-6 is a molecule which activates an antigen receptor on B cell surfaces. In an embodiment the molecule which activates an antigen receptor on B cell surfaces is an antibody. In an embodiment the antibody includes but is not limited to an anti-IgM antibody. The antibody may also be an anti-idiotypic antibody which activates an antigen receptor on B cell surfaces. In another embodiment of the above-described method the molecule which activates an antigen receptor on B cell surfaces is a molecule which activates MAPK in B cells. As used herein “activation of an antigen receptor on B cell surfaces” is defined as induction of signal transduction including MAPK activation. In a preferred embodiment of the method the molecule which activates MAPK in B cells is a cytokine. In a further preferred embodiment of the method the cytokine used includes but is not limited to TNF, IL-6, or IL-2. In an embodiment of the method the molecule is cross-linked to a B cell antigen receptor to activate the receptor. In an embodiment cross-linking the molecule to the B cell antigen receptor activates the MAPK.

[0112] This invention provides a method of treating a subject with lymphoma which comprises administering an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a molecule which induces phosphorylation of BCL-6 protein so as to induce degradation of BCL-6 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, thereby treating the subject with lymphoma. In an embodiment of the above-described method the lymphoma expresses BCL-6. In a preferred embodiment of the method the pharmaceutical composition comprises a MAPK activator. In a further preferred embodiment the MAPK activator is an antibody. In another embodiment of the method the antibody used includes but is not limited to an anti-IgM antibody. The antibody may also be an anti-idiotypic antibody which activates an antigen receptor on B cell surfaces. In another embodiment the MAPK activator is a cytokine. The cytokine used may be selected from but is not limited to an cytokines such as TNF, IL-6, or IL-2. In a preferred embodiment the lymphoma is a B-cell lymphoma. In another preferred embodiment the B-cell lymphoma is derived from germinal center B cells. In an embodiment of the above-described method the administration of the pharmaceutical composition may be selected from but is not limited to intravenous or intratumor administration.

[0113] This invention provides a method of deceasing BCL-6 levels in cells comprising administering a compound which interferes with transcription of bcl-6 and thereby prevents expression of BCL-6 protein so as to thereby deceasing BCL-6 levels in the cells. In an embodiment of the above-described method the compound which interferes with transcription of bcl-6 prevents binding of a transcription factor and histone acetylase/deacetylase complexes.

[0114] In another embodiment the compound is N,N′-hexamethylene bisacetamide (HMBA) or trichostatin. Applicants incorporate by reference U.S. Pat. No. 5,608,108 issued Mar. 4, 1997 (Marks et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 5,175,191 issued Dec. 29, 1992 (Marks et al.), and U.S. Pat. No. 5,055,608 issued Oct. 8, 1991 (Marks et al.) for compounds disclosed therein which interfere with transcription. In an embodiment the method of treating lymphoma comprising decreasing BCL-6 levels in cells comprises the above-described method of deceasing BCL-6 levels in cells comprising administering a compound which interferes with transcription of bcl-6 and thereby prevents expression of BCL-6 protein so as to thereby deceasing BCL-6 levels in the cells.

[0115] This invention will be better understood from the Experimental Details which follow. However, one skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the specific methods and results discussed are merely illustrative of the invention as described more fully in the claims which follow thereafter.

EXPERIMENTAL DETAIL SECTION I Materials and Methods

[0116] DNA Extraction and Southern Blot Analysis

[0117] Total genomic DNA was purified from frozen tumor biopsies by cell lysis, proteinase K digestion, “salting-out” purification and ethanol precipitation as previously described (11). Southern blot hybridization analysis was performed in 50% formamide, 3× SSC, 10× dextran sulphate, 5× Denhardt's solution, 0.5% SDS at 37° C. for 16 hrs. Filters were washed in 0.2× SSC, 0.5% SDS at 60° C. for 2 hrs. DNA probes were ³²P-labelled by the random priming method (12).

[0118] DNA Probes

[0119] The following probes were used for Southern blot analysis of Ig gene rearrangements: i) (J_(H)) probe: 6.6 kb BamHi/HindIII fragment from the human Ig heavy-chain (Ig_(H)) locus (13); ii) (C_(μ)) probe: 1.3 kb EcoRI fragment containing the first two exons of human C_(μ) (13).

[0120] Genomic Cloning

[0121] Genomic libraries from NHL cases SM1444 and KC1445 were constructed by partial Sau 3A restriction digestion of genomic DNA and ligation of gel-purified 15-20 kb fractions into LambdaGem-11 phage vector (Promega). Library screening was performed by plaque-hybridization using the C_(μ) probe.

[0122] Fluorescence in situ Hybridization Analysis (FISH)

[0123] Phage DNA was labelled with biotin-14-dATP by nick translation and hybridized to metaphase spreads from normal human lymphocytes as described (14). To visualize the hybridization signal and the corresponding bands sequentially under the microscope, the slides were stained and counterstained with propidium iodide and 4′6′-diamideno-2-phenylindole (DAPI), respectively.

[0124] Northern Blot Hybridization Analysis

[0125] RNAs from several human cell lines were extracted by the guanidine-isothiocyanate method (15). For Northern blot analysis, RNA samples were electrophoresed through 0.9% agarose-2.2M formaldehyde gels and then transferred to nitrocellulose filters. Hybridization and washing were performed as described for Southern blot analysis.

Experimental Results

[0126] DNA was extracted from tumor tissue of two cases (SM1444 and KC1445) of IgM-producing, diffuse-type B-cell NHL carrying the t(3;14)(q27;q32) translocation. Since the involvement of the Ig_(H) locus was suspected based on the 14q32 breakpoint, SM1444 and KC1445 DNAs were first analyzed by Southern blot hybridization using combinations of enzymes and probes specific for the J_(H) and C_(μ) regions of the Ig_(H) locus (13). In both cases, digestion by BamHI showed rearranged fragments containing J_(H) sequences (FIG. 1). Subsequent hybridizations to the C_(μ) probe showed, in each case, that one rearranged fragment containing J_(H) sequences was not linked to C_(μ) sequences (see failure of the C_(μ) probe to hybridize to the same rearranged BamHI fragment detected by J_(H) (FIG. 1) as would be expected for the physiologically rearranged Ig_(H) allele in IgM producing cells. In addition, in both cases, digestion with HindIII and hybridization with C_(μ) detected a rearranged fragment, a finding inconsistent with either germ-line or physiologically rearranged Ig_(H) genes, since both HindIII sites flanking C_(μ) sequences are not involved in V-D-J arrangements (13). The observed pattern is, however, consistent with chromosomal breakpoints located within C_(μ) switch sequences, as previously observed in several cases of chromosomal translocations involving the Ig_(H) locus (2,16-18).

[0127] Based on this analysis, the C_(μ) containing fragments from each case were cloned by screening genomic libraries constructed from SM1444 and KC1445 DNAs using the C_(μ) probe. Restriction mapping and hybridization analysis of several phage clones led to the identification of recombinant phages from each library which contained C_(μ) sequences linked to sequences unrelated to the Ig_(H) locus (see FIG. 2 for maps of representative phage clones). The Ig portions of the phage inserts overlapped along the C_(μ) region extending 5′ into the switch region where alignment with the restriction map of the normal Ig heavy-chain locus was lost. The location of the breakpoint within C_(μ) switch sequences was confirmed for case SM1444 by DNA sequence analysis of the breakpoint junction of phage SM-71, which revealed the presence of the repeated motifs typical of the Ig_(H) switch regions on the chromosome 14 side (19). The Ig-unrelated portions of phage SM-71 and KC-51 also overlapped with each other in their restriction maps, suggesting that they were derived from the same genomic region. This notion is further supported by the fact that probe Sac 4.0 derived from SM-71 was able to hybridize to the corresponding region of KC-51 in Southern blot analysis.

[0128] To determine the chromosomal origin of the Ig-unrelated sequences, a recombinant phage (SM-71) derived from case SM1444, was used as a probe in FISH analysis on metaphase chromosome spreads from mitogen-stimulated normal blood lymphocytes. The phage probe hybridized specifically to chromosome 14q32 as well as to chromosome 3q27 (FIG. 3), indicating that the recombinant phage insert contained one of the two chromosomal junctions of the reciprocal t(3;14) translocation. Thus, taken together, the results of cloning and FISH analysis established that, in both NHL cases studied, the chromosomal translocation has linked sequences within the switch region of the C_(μ) locus to sequences from band 3q27, consistent with the cytogenetic description of the t(3;14) (q27;q32) translocation. In the two NHL cases studied, the breakpoints on 3q27 were located within 3 kb of the same genomic locus, which was termed bcl-6.

[0129] In order to determine whether 3q27 breakpoints in additional NHL cases were also located within the cloned portion of the bcl-6 locus, bcl-6 rearrangements were examined in a total of 19 NHL cases carrying 3q27 breakpoints, including 4 (two cloned cases and two additional ones) carrying t(3;14)(q27;q32) as well as 15 cases carrying 3q27 translocations involving regions other than 14q32. Southern blot hybridization using probes derived from phage SM-71 (see FIG. 2) detected rearranged fragments in EcoRI-and/or BglII-digested DNA in 7 of 19 cases studied, including all 4 t(3;14) cases as well as 3 cases with other types of translocations (see FIGS. 4A-4C for cytogenetic description of the cases and representative results). These results indicate that heterogeneous 3q27 breakpoints cluster in a fairly restricted region within bcl-6 independently of the partner chromosome involved in the translocation.

[0130] Whether the bcl-6 locus adjacent to the chromosomal breakpoints contained a transcriptional unit was investigated. Probe Sac 4.0 (see FIG. 2) was used to detect RNA expression in several human cell lines by Northern blot analysis. A major 2.4 kb RNA species was readily detectable in two B-cell derived cell lines tested, while a relatively less abundant 4.4 kb species is present in CB33 only. No hybridization was detected in a T-cell derived cell line (HUT 78) nor in HeLa cells (FIG. 5). This result indicates that 3q27 sequences immediately adjacent to the chromosomal breakpoint cluster are part of a gene (bcl-6) which is expressed in cells of the B lineage.

Experimental Discussion

[0131] This study reports the identification and cloning of a genomic region, bcl-6, involved in recurrent chromosomal translocations affecting band 3q27 in NHL. The region is defined by the clustered position of breakpoints in seven NHL cases carrying 3q27 translocations involving either IgH or several other loci. A more precise definition of the bcl-6 locus and of the frequency of its involvement in NHL requires cloning and characterization of additional bcl-6 sequences and studying additional tumor cases. Nevertheless, the finding that various translocation partner chromosomes have been joined to the same region on chromosome 3 in cytogenetically heterogenous NHL cases supports the notion that rearrangement of the bcl-6 locus may represent the critical common denominator of translocations involving 3q27.

[0132] The second finding of this study is that the bcl-6 locus contains a gene which is expressed in B-cells. It is not clear at this stage whether the chromosomal breakpoints directly truncate coding or regulatory sequences of bcl-6, or, whether the gene remains intact with its regulation overridden by transcriptional control motifs juxtaposed by the translocation. The clustering of breakpoints in the seven studied NHL cases suggests, however, that bcl-6 may be a proto-oncogene which can contribute to NHL pathogenesis upon activation by chromosomal translocation. Results of this study will allow elucidation of the normal structure and function of the bcl-6 gene in order to understand the pathogen consequences of chromosomal translocation of bcl-6 and its role in lymphomagenesis.

REFERENCES FOR SECTION I

[0133] 1. Gaidano, G., and Dalla-Favera, R., (1992) Oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. In: Neoplastic Hematopathology, D. M. Knowles (ed.), Wilkins & Wilkins, pp 245-261.

[0134] 2. Dalla-Favera, R., et al. (1982) Human c-myc oncogene is located on the region of chromosome 8 that is translocated in Burkitt lymphoma cells, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 79:7824-7827.

[0135] 3. Taub, R., et al. (1982) Translocation of c-myc gene into the immunoglobulin heavy chain locus in human Burkitt lymphoma and murine plasmacytoma cells, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 79:7837-7841.

[0136] 4. Bakhshi, A., et al. (1985) Cloning the chromosomal breakpoint of t(14;18) human lymphomas: clustering around J_(H) on chromosome 14 and near a transcriptional unit on 18, Cell 41:889-906.

[0137] 5. Tsujimoto, U., et al. (1985) Involvement of the Bcl-2 gene in human follicular lymphoma, Science 228:1440-1443.

[0138] 6. Cleary, M. L., and Sklar, J., (1985) Nucleotide sequence of a t(14;18) chromosomal breakpoint in follicular lymphoma and demonstration of a breakpoint-cluster region near a transcriptionally active locus on chromosome 18, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 82:7439-7444.

[0139] 7. Motokura, T., et al. (1991) A novel cyclin encoded by a bcl-1 linked candidate oncogene, Nature 350:512-514.

[0140] 8. Raffeld, M., and Jaffe, E. S., (1991) Bcl-1, t(11;14), and mantle zone lymphomas, Blood 78:259-261.

[0141] 9. Offit, K., et al. (1989) t(3;22) (q27;q11) : A novel translocation associated with diffuse non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Blood 74:1876-1879.

[0142] 10. Bastard, C., et al. (1992) Translocations involving band 3q37 and Ig gene regions in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Blood 79:2527-2531.

[0143] 11. Miller, S. A., et al. (1988) A simple salting out procedure for extracting DNA from human nucleated cells, Nucleic Acids Res, 16:1215-1218.

[0144] 12. Feinberg, A. P., and Vogelstein, B., (1983) A technique for radiolabelling DNA restriction endonuclease fragments to high specific activity, Anal. Biochem., 132:6-13.

[0145] 13. Ravetch, J. V., et al. (1981) Structure of the human immunoglobulin μ locus:characterization of embryonic and rearranged J and D regions, Cell, 27:583-591.

[0146] 14. Rao, P. H., et al. (1994) Subregional localization of 20 single-copy loci to chromosome 6 by fluorescence in situ hybridization, Cyto. and Cell Genetics 66:272-273.

[0147] 15. Chirgwin, J. M., et al. (1979) Isolation of biologically active ribonucleic acid from sources enriched in ribonuclease, Biochemistry, 18:5294-5299.

[0148] 16. Peschle, C., et al. (1984) Translocation and rearrangement of c-myc into immunoglobulin alpha heavy chain locus in primary cells from acute lymphocytic leukemia, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 81:5514-5518.

[0149] 17. Showe, L. C., et al. (1985) Cloning and sequencing of a c-myc oncogene in a Burkitt's lymphoma cell line that is translocated to a germ line alpha switch region, Mol. Cell. Biol., 5:501-509.

[0150] 18. Neri, A., Barriga, et al. (1988) Different regions of the immunoglobulin heavy chain locus are involved in chromosomal translocations in distinct pathogenic forms of Burkitt lymphoma, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 85:2748-2752.

[0151] 19. Rabbits, T. H., et al. (1991) Human immunoglobulin heavy chain genes: evolutionary comparisons of C mu, C delta and C gamma genes and associated switch sequences, Nucleic Acids Res., 9:4509-4524.

[0152] 20. Schmid, et al. (1991) Nature, 332:733.

EXPERIMENTAL DETAIL SECTION II Introduction

[0153] The molecular analysis of specific chromosomal translocations has improved the understanding of the pathogenesis of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), a heterogeneous group of B-cell or, less frequently, T-cell malignancies (1,2). The (14;18) chromosomal translocation, which causes the deregulated expression of the anti-apoptosis gene BCL-2, plays a critical role in the development of follicular lymphoma (FL) (3-6), which accounts for 20 to 30% of all NHL diagnoses (7). Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) and mantle-cell lymphoma, two relatively rare NHL types, are characterized by chromosomal translocations causing the deregulated expression of the cell-cycle progression genes C-MYC and the BCL-1/cyclin Dl, respectively (8-15).

[0154] Relatively little is known about the molecular pathogenesis of diffuse large cell lymphoma (DLCL), the most frequent and most lethal human lymphoma (7). DLCL accounts for ^(˜)40% of initial NHL diagnoses and is often the final stage of progression of FL(7). A small percentage of DLCL display C-MYC rearrangements (16) and 20 to 30% display alterations of BCL-2 reflecting the tumor's derivation from FL (17). However, no consistent molecular alteration has been identified that is specific for DLCL.

[0155] Chromosomal translocations involving reciprocal recombinations between band 3q27 and several other chromosomal sites are found in 8 to 12% of NHL cases, particularly in DLCL (18-19). From NHL samples displaying recombinations between 3q27 and the immunoglobulin (Ig) heavy chain locus on 14q32, the chromosomal junctions of several (3;14)(q27;q32) translocations were cloned and identified a cluster of breakpoints at a 3q27 locus named BCL-6.

Experimental Results

[0156] To isolate normal BCL-6 cDNA, a cDNA library constructed form the NHL cell line Bjab (22) was screened with a probe (20-21) derived from the chromosomal region flanking the breakpoints of two t(3;14)(q27;32) cases. A phage cDNA library constructed from RNA of the Bjab lymphoma cell line was screened (1×10⁶ plaques) by plaque hybridization with the Sac 4.0 probe that had been ³²P-labelled by random priming (22). Sequence analysis (FIGS. 10A-10B) revealed that the longest clone (3549 bp), approximately the same size as BCL-6 RNA, codes for a protein of 706 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 79 kD. The putative ATG initiation codon at position 328 is surrounded by a Kozak consensus sequence (23) and is preceded by three upstream in-frame stop codons. The 1101-bp 3′-untranslated region contains a polyadenylation signal followed by a track of poly(A). These features are consistent with BCL-6 being a functional gene.

[0157] The NH₂- and COOH— termini of the BCL-6 protein (FIGS. 1OA-lOB) have homologies with “zinc-finger” transcription factors (24). BCL-6 contains six C₂H₂ zinc-finger motifs (FIG. 10A) and a conserved stretch of six amino acids (the H/C link) connecting the successive zinc-finger repeats (25), BCL-6 can be assigned to the Kruppel-like subfamily of zinc-finger proteins. The NH₂-terminal region of BCL-6 is devoid of the FAX (27) and KRAB (28) domains sometimes seen in Kruppel-related zinc-finger proteins, but it does have homologies (FIG. 11) with other zinc-finger transcription factors including the human ZFPJS protein, a putative human transcription factor that regulates the major histocompatibility complex II promoter, the Tramtrack (ttk) and Broad-complex (Br-c) proteins in Drosophila that regulate developmental transcription (29), the human KUP protein (31), and the human PLZF protein, which is occasionally involved in chromosomal translocations in human promyelocytic leukemia (32). The regions of NH₂-terminal homology among ZFPJS, ttk, Br-c, PLZF and BCL-6 also share some degree of homology with viral proteins (e.g. VA55R) of the poxvirus family (33) as well as with the Drosophila kelch protein involved in nurse cell-oocyte interaction (34). These structural homologies suggest that BCL-6 may function as a DNA-binding transcription factor that regulates organ development and tissue differentiation.

[0158] The cDNA clone was used as a probe to investigate BCL-6 RNA expression in a variety of human cell lines by Northern blot analysis. A single 3.8 kb RNA species was readily detected (FIG. 11) in cell lines derived from mature B-cells, but not from pro-B-cells or plasma cells, T cells or other hematopoietic cell lineages. The BCL-6 RNA was not detectable in other normal other tissues, except for skeletal muscle in which low level expression was seen. Thus, the expression of BCL-6 was detected in B-cells at a differentiation stage corresponding to that of DLCL cells. This selective expression in a “window” of B-cell differentiation suggests that BCL-6 plays a role in the control of normal B-cell differentiation and lymphoid organ development.

[0159] To characterize the BCL-6 genomic locus, the same cDNA probe to screen a genomic library from human placenta was used. A phage genomic library constructed from normal human placenta DNA (Stratagene) was screened (8× 10⁵ plaques) with the BCL-6 cDNA. Twelve overlapping clones spanning ^(˜)50kb of genomic DNA were isolated. After restriction mapping, the position of various BCL-6 exons was determined by Southern hybridization using various cDNA probes. By restriction mapping, hybridization with various cDNA probes, and limited nucleotide sequencing, the BCL-6 gene was found to contain at least ten exons spanning ^(˜)26 kb of DNA (FIG. 12). Sequence analysis of the first and second exons indicated that they are noncoding and that the translation initiation codon is within the third exon.

[0160] Various cDNA and genomic probes were used in Southern (DNA) blot hybridizations to determine the relationship between 3q27 (Table 1). Monoallelic rearrangements of BCL-6 were detected in 12 of 17 tumors by using combinations of restriction enzymes (Bam HI and Xba I) and probe which explore ^(˜)16 kb within the BCL-6 locus. These 12 positive cases carry recombinations between 3q27 and several different chromosomes (Table 1) indicating that heterogeneous 3q27 breakpoints cluster in a restricted genomic locus irrespective of the partner chromosome involved in the translocation. Some DLCL samples (5 of 17) do not display BCL-6 rearrangements despite cytogenetic alterations in band 3q27, suggesting that another gene is involved or, more likely, that there are other breakpoint clusters 5′ or 3′ to BCL-6. If the latter is true, the observed frequency of BCL-6 involvement in DLCL (33%, see below) may be an underestimate. TABLE 1 Frequency of BCL-6 rearrangements in DLCL carrying chromosomal translocations affecting band 3q27 Fraction of tumors with BCL-6 Translocation rearrangements t (3;14 (q27;q32) 4/4 t (3;22) (q27;q11) 2/3 t (3;12) (q27;q11) 1/1 t (3;11) (q27;q13) 1/1 t (3;9) (q27;p13) 0/1 t (3;12) (q27;q24) 0/1 der (3)t(3;5) (q27;q31) 1/1 t (1;3) (q21;q27) 1/1 t (2;3) (q23;q27) 1/1 der (3)t(3;?) (q27;?) 1/3

[0161] Tumor samples listed in the Table were collected and analyzed for histopathology and cytogenetics at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.

[0162] A panel of tumors not previously selected on the basis of 3q27 breakpoints but representative of the major subtypes of NHL as well as of other lymphoproliferative diseases was analyzed. Similar rearrangements were detected in 13 of 39 DLCL, but not in other cases including other NHL subtypes (28 FL, 20 BL, and 8 small lymphocytic NHL), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL; 21 cases), and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL; 31). These findings indicate that BCL-6 rearrangements are specific for and frequent in DLCL. In addition, the frequency of rearrangements in DLCL (33%) significantly exceeds that (8 to 12%) reported at the cytogenetic level, suggesting that some of the observed rearrangements may involve submicroscopic chromosomal alterations undetectable at the cytogenetic level.

[0163] All the breakpoints in BCL-6 mapped to the putative 5′ flanking region, the first exon or the first intron (FIG. 12). For two patients that carry (3;12)(q27;q32) translocations, the chromosomal breakpoints have been cloned and precisely mapped to the first intron (SM1444) or to 5′ flanking sequences (KC1445) of BCL-6 on 3q27, and to the switch region of IgH on 14q32 (20-21). In all rearrangements, the coding region of BCL-6 was left intact whereas the 5′ regulatory region, presumably containing the promoter sequences, was either completely removed or truncated. The resultant fusion of BCL-6 coding sequences to heterologous (from other chromosomes) or alternative (within the BCl-6 locus) regulatory sequences may disrupt the gene's normal expression pattern. A BCL-6 transcript of normal size was detected by Northern blot analysis of DLCL cells carrying either normal or truncated BCL-6. Some of the truncations were in the 5′ flanking sequences and would therefore not be expected to generate structurally abnormal transcripts.

Experimental Discussion

[0164] Zinc-finger encoding genes are candidate oncogenes as they have been shown to participate in the control of cell proliferation, differentiation, and organ pattern formation (24). In fact, alterations of zinc-finger genes have been detected in a variety of tumor types. These genes include PLZF (32) and PML (35-38) in acute promyeloctic leukemia, EVI-1 (38-39) in mouse and human myeloid leukemia, TTG-1 (40) in T-cell CLL, HTRX (41-43) in acute mixed-lineage leukemia, and WT-1 (44) in Wilm's tumor. Terminal differentiation of hematopoietic cells is associated with the down-regulation of many Krüppel-type zinc-finger genes. Thus, constitutive expression of BCL-6, caused by chromosomal rearrangements, interferes with normal B-cell differentiation, thereby contributing to the abnormal lymph node architecture typifying DLCL.

[0165] Given that DLCL accounts for ^(˜)80% of NHL mortality (7), the identification of a specific pathogenetic lesion has important clinicopathologic implications. Lesions in BCL-6 may help in identifying prognostically distinct subgroups of DLCL. In addition, since a therapeutic response can now be obtained in a substantial fraction of cases (7), a genetic marker specific for the malignant clone may be a critical tool for the monitoring of minimal residual disease and early diagnosis of relapse (45).

[0166] The gene cloned from chromosomal translocations affecting band 3q27, which are common in DLCL codes for a 79 kD protein that is homologous with zinc-finger transcription factors. In 33% (13/39) of DLCL samples, but no in other types of lymphoid malignancies, the BCL-6 gene is truncated within its 5′ noncoding sequences, suggesting that its expression is deregulated. Thus, BCL-6 is a proto-oncogene specifically involved in the pathogenesis of DLCL.

REFERENCES FOR SECTION II

[0167] 1. Chaganti, R. S. K., et al. (1989) Molecular Diagnostics of Human Cancer, pp. 33-36.

[0168] 2. Nathwani, B. N., (1992) Neoplastic Hemopathology, pp. 555-601.

[0169] 3. Tsujumoto, Y., et al. (1985) Science 228:1440.

[0170] 4. Cleary, M. L. and Sklar, J., (1985) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 82:7439.

[0171] 5. Bakshi, A., et al. (1985) Cell 41:899.

[0172] 6. Korsmeyer, S. J., (1992) Blood 80:879.

[0173] 7. Magrath, I. T., (1990) The Non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas pp. 1-14.

[0174] 8. Dalla-Favera, R., et al. (1982) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 79:7824.

[0175] 9. Taub, R., et al. (1982) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 79:7837.

[0176] 10. Dalla-Favera, R., (1993) Causes and Consequences of Chromosomal Translocations pp. 313-321.

[0177] 11. Tsujimoto, Y., et al. (1985) Nature 315:340.

[0178] 12. Meeker, T. C., et al. (1989) Blood 74:1801.

[0179] 13. Motokura, T., et al. (1991) Nature 350:512.

[0180] 14. Williams, M. E., et al. (1991) Blood 78:493.

[0181] 15. Raffeld, M., and Jaffe, E., (1991) Blood 78:259.

[0182] 16. Ladanyi, M., et al. (1991) Blood 77:1057.

[0183] 17. Offit, K., et al. (1989) Bri. J. Haematol. 72:178.

[0184] 18. Offit, K., et al. (1989) Blood 74:1876.

[0185] 19. Bastard, C., et al. (1992) Blood 79:2527.

[0186] 20. Ye, B. H., et al. (1993) Cancer Res 53:2732.

[0187] 21. Baron, B. W., et al. (1993) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 90:5262.

[0188] 22. Feinbert, A. P., and Vogelstein, B., (1983) Anal. Biochem. 132:6.

[0189] 23. Kozak, M., (1989) J. Cell. Biol 108:229.

[0190] 24. El-Baradi, T., and Pieler, T., (1991) Mech. Dev 35:155.

[0191] 25. Rosenbert, U. B., et al. (1989) Nature 319:336.

[0192] 26. Bellefroid, E. J., et al. (1989) DNA 8:377.

[0193] 27. Knochel, W., et al. (1989) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 86:6097.

[0194] 28. Bellefroid, E. J., et al. (1991) DNA 88:3608.

[0195] 29. Harrison, S. D., and Travers, A. A., (1990) EMBO J. 9:207.

[0196] 30. DiBello, R. R., et al. (1991) Genetics 129:385.

[0197] 31. Chardin, P., et al. (1991) Nucleaic Acid Res. 19:1431.

[0198] 32. Chen, Z., et al. (1993) EMBO J. 12:1161.

[0199] 33. Koonin, E. V., et al. (1992) Trends Biochem. Sci. 17:213.

[0200] 34. Xue, F., and Cooley, L., (1993) Cell 72:681.

[0201] 35. de Thé, H., et al. (1991) Cell 66:675.

[0202] 36. Kazizuka, A., et al. (1991) Cell 66:663.

[0203] 37. Pandolfi, P. P., et al. (1991) Oncogene 6:1285.

[0204] 38. Morishita, K., et al. (1988) Cell 54:831.

[0205] 39. Fichelson, S., et al. (1992) Leukemia 6:93.

[0206] 40. McGuire, E. A., et al. (1989) Cell Biol. 9:2124.

[0207] 41. Djabali, M., et al. (1992) Nature Genet. 2:113.

[0208] 42. Tkachuk, D. C., et al. (1992) Cell 71:691.

[0209] 43. Gu, Y., et al. (1992) Cell 71:701.

[0210] 44. Haber, D. A., et al. (1990) Cell 61:1257.

[0211] 45. Medeiros, L. J., et al. (1992) Neoplastic Hemopathology, pp. 263-298.

EXPERIMENTAL DETAIL SECTION III Introduction

[0212] Non Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), the most frequent tumor occurring in patients between the ages of 20 and 40, includes several distinct clinico-pathologic subtypes, among which diffuse lymphoma with a large cell component (DLLC) is the most clinically relevant in terms of morbidity and mortality (1). DLLC include intermediate-grade lymphomas with pure diffuse large-(DLCL), or mixed small- and large-cell (MX-D) histology, as well as high-grade immunoblastic (IMB) lymphoma. These tumors can occur “de novo”, accounting for 30-40% of initial NHL diagnosis and, in addition, can represent the final “transformation” stage of follicular lymphomas (FL), small lymphocytic lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Considered together, “de novo” and “post-transformation” DLLC account for up to 80% of NHL mortality (1).

[0213] During the past decade, abnormalities involving proto-oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes have been identified in association with distinct NHL subtypes (2). These genetic lesions represent important steps in lymphomagenesis as well as tumor-specific markers which have been exploited for diagnostic and prognostic purposes (3,4). Examples include alterations of the MYC oncogene in Burkitt lymphoma (BL), and of the BCL-2 and BCL-1 oncogenes in FL and mantle-cell NHL, respectively. With respect to DLLC, several molecular alterations have been detected at variable frequency, but none has been specifically or consistently associated with the disease (2). In this invention the frequency and disease-specificity of BCL-6 (5-10) rearrangements among the principal categories of lymphoproliferative disease, including different NHL subtypes, acute and chronic lymphoid leukemias and multiple myeloma is demonstrated.

Materials and Methods

[0214] Samples of lymphnode biopsies, bone marrow aspirates and peripheral blood were collected by standard diagnostic procedures during the course of routine clinical evaluation in the Division of Surgical Pathology, Department of Pathology, Columbia University. In all instances, the specimens were collected before specific anti-tumor treatment. Diagnoses were based on the results of histopathologic, immunophenotypic and immunogenotypic analysis (11). In all cases, the fraction of malignant cells in the pathologic specimen was at least 70% as determined by cytofluorimetric or immunohistochemical analysis of cell-surface markers or antigen receptor (immunoglobulin heavy chain and T cell receptor β chain) gene rearrangement analysis (11).

[0215] Genomic DNA was prepared from diagnostic specimens by cell lysis, proteinase K digestion, phenol-chloroform extraction and ethanol precipitation. For Southern blot analysis, 6 μg of DNA were digested with the appropriate restriction endonuclease, electrophoresed in a 0.8% agarose gel, denatured, neutralized and transferred to Duralose filters (Stratagene, La Jolla, Calif.). Filters were then hybridized with the BCL-6-specific Sac 4.0 probe (10) that had been ³²P-labelled by the random priming technique. After hybridization, filters were washed in 0.2×SSC (1×SSC=0.15 M NaCl+ 0.015 M sodium citrate / 0.5% sodium dodecyl sulfate) for 2 hours at 60° C. and then subjected to autoradiography for 24-48 hours at −80° C. using intensifying screens.

[0216] All NHL cases were also analyzed for rearrangement of the BCL-2 gene using the previously described probes corresponding to the MBR and MCR regions. Immunophenotypic analysis of immunoglobulin and cell surface marker expression was performed as previously described (11).

[0217] Comparisons of histologic subsets with or without BCL-6 rearrangement were made utilizing the method of inferences from proportions (12).

Experimental Results

[0218] The tumor panel (Table 2) used for this study is representative of the major categories of lymphoproliferative disease including NHL, 125 cases, ALL 45, CLL 51 and MM 23. The NHL series was representative of low- 41, intermediate- 45 and high-grade 24 subtypes according to the Working Formulation. Fifteen cases of cutaneous T-cell NHL were also included.

[0219] The presence of BCL-6 rearrangements was analyzed by Southern blot hybridization of tumor DNAs using a probe (Sac 4.0) (10) and restriction enzymes (BamHI and XbaI) which, in combination, explore a region of 15.2 Kb containing the 5′ portion of the BCL-6 gene (first exon, 7.5 Kb of first intron and 7.4 Kb of 5′ flanking sequences) (10). This region was previously shown to contain the cluster of breakpoints detected in NHL. No additional rearrangements were found using probes and restriction enzymes exploring approximately lokb either 5′ or 3′ to BCL-6 sequences

[0220] The results of this analysis are summarized in Table 2 and representatively shown in FIGS. 13A-13B. All cases of ALL, CLL and MM showed a normal BCL-6 gene. Eighteen of the 125 NHL cases displayed BCL-6 rearrangements. Among distinct NHL histologic subtypes, rearrangements were detected in 16/45 (35.5%) DLLC and in 2/31 (6.4%) FL (p<0.001). One of these 2 FL cases showed both follicular and diffuse patterns of growth. Among DLLC, rearrangements were significantly more frequent in DLCL (15/33, 45.4%) than in MX-D (1/10, 10%) (p<0.01), suggesting that these genetic lesions may be specifically associated with the diffuse large cell component of these tumors. All of the DLLC cases displaying BCL-6 rearrangements lacked BCL-2 rearrangements which were found in only two 2 DLLC cases. Although cytogenetic data were not available for the panel of tumors studied, the frequency of BCL-6 rearrangements far exceeds that expected for 3q27 aberrations (10-12% in DLLC) (8, 9), suggesting that BCL-6 rearrangements can occur as a consequence of submicroscopic chromosomal aberrations.

[0221] In order to determine whether the presence of BCL-6 rearrangements correlated with distinct immunophenotypic features of DLLC, the entire panel was analyzed for expression of immunoglobulin κ and λ light chains, and B cell-associated antigens CD19, CD20 and CD22 (11). As expected, the expression of these markers was variable in the DLLC cases tested. However, no correlation with the BCL-6 rearrangement status was found. TABLE 2 Rearrangements of the BCL-6 gene in lymphoid tumors TUMOR HISTOTYPE REARRANGED/TESTED % NHL Low grade: SL 0/10 0 SCC-F 2*/18  11 MX-F 0/13 0 Intermediate grade: MX-D 1/10 10 DLCL 15/33  45 SCC-D 0/2  0 High grade: IMB 0/2  0 SNCL 0/22 0 Others: CTCL 0/15 0 ALL B-lineage: 0/34 0 T-lineage: 0/11 0 CLL B-lineage: 0/41 0 T-lineage: 0/10 0 MM 0/23 0

Experimental Discussion

[0222] In this study, BCL-6 rearrangement is established as the most frequent abnormality detectable in DLLC. Previous studies have indicated MYC and BCL-2 rearrangements detectable in 5-20% and 20% of DLLC, respectively (13). Compared to those lesions, which are also commonly associated with Burkitt's lymphoma (MYC) and FL (BCL-2), BCL-6 rearrangements appear to be more disease-specific since they were exclusively found in DLLC with the exception of 2 of 45 FL cases. Considering that one of these two FL cases displayed areas of diffuse histology, it is conceivable that BCL-6 rearrangements may be occasionally associated with atypical FL cases with mixed follicular and diffuse components. The recurrent and specific association between DLLC and structural lesions of a gene coding for a zinc finger-type transcription factor related to several known proto-oncogenes 10 suggests that these abnormalities may play a role in pathogenesis of DLCL.

[0223] Among the heterogeneous DLLC spectrum, BCL-6 rearrangements were significantly more frequent in tumors displaying a pure diffuse large cell histology (DLCL) all of which lacked BCL-2 rearrangements. Considering that DLCL can originate both “de novo” and from the “transformation” of FL, and that the latter typically carry BCL-2 rearrangements, results suggest that BCL-6 rearrangements may be specifically involved in the pathogenesis of “de novo” DLLC. This conclusion is consistent with recent findings indicating that other genetic alterations, namely the inactivation of the p53 tumor suppressor gene, may be involved in the transformation of FL to DLLC (14).

[0224] The results presented herein have relevant diagnostic and prognostic implications. DLLC represent a heterogeneous group of neoplasms which are treated homogeneously despite the fact that only 50% of patients experience long-term disease free survival (1). The presence of a marker such as BCL-6 rearrangement identifies a sizable subset of cases with a distinct pathogenesis and, distinct biological behavior.

[0225] The pathogenesis of non-Hodgkin lymphoma with a large-cell component (DLLC, including diffuse large-cell, DLCL, diffuse mixed-cell, MX-D, and immunoblastic, IMB) is unknown. The incidence and disease-specificity of BCL-6 rearrangements in a large panel of lymphoid tumors, including acute and chronic lymphoid leukemias (96 cases), various NHL types (125 cases), and multiple myelomas (23 cases) has been tested. BCL-6 rearrangements were found in 16/45 (35.5%) DLLC, more frequently in DLCL (15/33, 45%) than in MX-D (1/10, 10%), in 2/31 (6.4%) follicular NHL, and in no other tumor types. BCL-6 rearrangements represent the first genetic lesion specifically and recurrently associated with DLLC and should prove useful for understanding the pathogenesis as well as for the clinical monitoring of these tumors.

REFERENCES FOR SECTION III

[0226] 1. Magrath, I. T. (1990) The Non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas:

[0227] An Introduction, The Non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas, Edward Arnold, London, p 1.

[0228] 2. Gaidano, G., and Dalla-Favera, R. (1993) Biologic and molecular characterization of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Curr. Opin. Oncol. 5:776.

[0229] 3. Gribben, J. G., et al. (1991) Immunologic purging of marrow assessed by PCR before autologous bone marrow transplantation for B-cell lymphoma, N. Engl. J. Med. 325:1525.

[0230] 4. Yunis, J. J., et al. (1989) Bcl-2 and other genomic alterations in the prognosis of large-cell lymphoma, N. Engl. J. Med. 320:1047.

[0231] 5. Ye, B. H., et al. (1993) Cloning of bcl-6, the locus involved in chromosome translocations affecting band 3q27 in B-cell lymphoma, Cancer Res. 53:2732.

[0232] 6. Baron, B. W., et al. (1993) Identification of the gene associated with the recurring chromosomal translocations t (3;14) (q27;q32) and t(3;22) (q27;qll) in B-cell lymphomas, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90: 5262.

[0233] 7. Kerckaert, J. P., et al. (1993) LAZ3, a novel zinc-finger encoding gene, is disrupted by recurring chromosome 3q27 translocations in human lymphomas, Nature Genet. 5:66.

[0234] 8. Offit, K, et al. (1989) t(3;22 (q27;q11): A novel translocation associated with diffuse non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Blood 74: 1876.

[0235] 9. Bastard, C, et al. (1992) Translocations involving band 3q27 and Ig gene regions in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Blood 79: 2527.

[0236] 10. Ye, B. H., et al. (1993) Alterations of a zinc-finger encoding gene, BCL-6, in diffuse large-cell lymphoma, Science 262:747.

[0237] 11. Knowles, D. M. (ed.) (1992) Neoplastic Hemopathology, Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, Md.

[0238] 12. Armitage, P., (1977) Statistical methods in medical research, Blackwell Scientific Publications, London, p. 11.

[0239] 13. Chaganti, R. S. K., et al. (1989) Specific translocations in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: incidence, molecular detection, and histological and clinical correlations, Cancer Cells 7:33.

[0240] 14. Lo Coco, F., et al. (1993) p53 mutations are associated with histologic transformation of follicular lymphoma, Blood 82:2289.

EXPERIMENTAL DETAIL SECTION IV Introduction

[0241] Non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL) represent one of the most common malignancies associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, and are recognized as an acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-defining condition (1-3). Since their initial observation in 1982 (4), the incidence of AIDS-associated NHL (AIDS-NHL) has been consistently increasing (1, 2), and they now represent the most frequent HIV-associated malignancy in some AIDS risk groups, namely the hemophiliacs (5). Indeed, some estimates project that 10 to 200 of all new NHL cases in the United States may eventually be related to AIDS (6).

[0242] AIDS-NHL are almost invariably B-cell derived NHL (1, 2, 7-12). When compared with NHL of similar histology arising in the immunocompetent host, AIDS-NHL display distinctive clinical features, including late stage at presentation, poor prognosis, and the frequent involvement of extranodal sites (1, 2, 7-12). Systemic AIDS-NHL are histologically heterogeneous, and have been initially classified into three distinct categories, including small non cleaved cell lymphoma (SNCCL), large non cleaved cell lymphoma (LNCCL), and large cell-immunoblastic plasmacytoid lymphoma (LC-IBPL) (7, 9). Subsequently, most investigators have agreed to classify LNCCL and LC-IBPL as a single category under the term of diffuse large cell lymphoma (DLCL).

[0243] Some progress has been made in elucidating the molecular pathogenesis of AIDS-SNCCL (1-3). AIDS-SNCCL is associated at variable frequency with multiple genetic lesions, including Epstein Barr virus (EBV) infection, c-MYC translocation, RAS gene family mutation, and p53 inactiviation by point mutation and allelic loss (1, 3, 13-25). On the other hand, the pathogenesis of AIDS-DLCL is relatively less defined. EBV infection appears to be the only genetic lesion associated with a significant fraction of these tumors, particularly with the subset displaying plasmacytoid features, p53 lesions have not been found and c-MYC activation is restricted to a small minority of cases (1-3, 13-25).

Materials and Methods

[0244] Pathologic Samples

[0245] Biopsy samples of lymph node, bone marrow, peripheral blood, or other involved organs from forty patients with AIDS were collected during the course of standard diagnostic procedures. Thirty-two samples were derived from patients referred to the Department of Pathology, New York University, New York, N.Y. or to the Department of Pathology, Columbia University, New York, N.Y. Eight samples were derived from patients referred to the Departments of Hematology and Pathology, University of Southern California School of Medicine, Los Angeles, Calif. Diagnosis was based on analysis of histopathology, immunophenotypic analysis of cell surface markers, and immunogenotypic analysis of Immunoglobulin (Ig) gene rearrangement (32). In most cases, the fraction of malignant cells in the pathologic specimen was greater than 80%, as determined by cell suspension cytofluorometric or tissue section immunohistochemical analysis of cell surface markers and by Ig gene rearrangement analysis.

[0246] DNA Extraction and Southern Blot Analysis

[0247] DNA was purified by digestion with proteinase K, “salting out” extraction, and precipitation by ethanol (33). For Southern blot analysis (34), 6 μg of DNA was digested with the appropriate restriction endonuclease, electrophoresed in a 0.8% agarose gel, denatured, neutralized, transferred to Duralon filters (Stratagene, LA Jolla, Calif.), and hybridized to probes which had been ³²P-labeled by the random primer extension method (35). Filters were washed in 0.2× SSC (NaCl/Na citrate)/0.5% sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) for 2 hours at 60° C. and then autoradiographed using intensifying screens (Quanta III; Dupont, Boston, Mass.).

[0248] DNA probes

[0249] Immunoglobulin gene rearrangement analysis was performed using a JH probe(36) (a gift of Dr. Korsmeyer) on HindIII, EcoRI, and BamHI digests. The organization of the SCL-6 locus was investigated by hybridization of XbaI, BamHI, and BglII digested DNA to the human BCL-6 probe Sac4.0 (26-27). In selected cases, a second probe representative of the BCL-6 locus, SacO.8, was also used. The organization of the c-MYC locus was analyzed by hybridization of EcoRI and HindIII digested DNA to the human c-MYC locus was analyzed by hybridization of EcoRI and HindIII digested DNA to the human c-MYC probe MC413RC, representative of the third exon of the c-MYC gene (37). The presence of the EBV genome was investigated with a probe specific for the EBV termini (5.2 Kb BamHI-EcoRI fragment isolated from the fused B13HI terminal fragment NJ-het) (38).

Experimental Results

[0250] Forty cases of systemic AIDS-NHL were studied, including 13 SNCCL and 24 DLCL (8 LNCCL and 16 LC-IBPL). In addition, three cases of CD30+ lymphomas, which have been sporadically reported in AIDS (39), were also included. All cases displayed a predominant monoclonal B-cell population as determined by Ig gene rearrangement analysis.

[0251] Analysis of BCL-6 Rearrangements

[0252] The BCL-6 gene contains at least 9 exons spanning approximately 26 Kb of genomic DNA (27). Sequence analysis has shown that the first exon is non-coding and that the translation initiation codon is located within the third exon (27). Rearrangements of BCL-6 can be detected by Southern blot analysis using a probe (Sac4.0) and restriction enzymes (BamHI and XbaI) which, in combination, explore a region of 15.2 Kb containing the 5′ portion of the BCL-6 gene (27) (FIGS. 14A-14C). This same region was previously shown to contain the cluster of chromosomal breakpoints detected in NHL of the immunocompetent host (27, 29). Cases showing an abnormally migrating band in only one digest were further studied by hybridizing the Sac4.0 probe to additional digests (BglII) or, alternatively, by hybridizing BamHI and XbaI digests to a probe (Sac0.8) derived from the BCL-6 first intron, which, being located 3′ of the breakpoint cluster, explores the reciprocal chromosome 3 (FIGS. 14A-14C). Only cases showing abnormally migrating bands with two restriction enzymes and/or two probes were scored as rearranged. Rearrangements of BCL-6 were detected 5/24 AIDS-DLCL (20.8%), both in the LNCCL (2/8; 25%) and in the LC-IBPL (3/16; 18.7%) variants (Table 3 and FIGS. 14A-14C). All cases of AIDS-SNCCL and CD30+ lymphomas displayed a germline BCL-6 locus. The location of the breakpoints detected in AIDS-HNL corresponds to the pattern most commonly observed in DLCL of the immunocompetent host. TABLE 3 Frequency of BCL-6 rearrangements in AIDS-NHL DLCL^(b) SNCCL^(a) LNNCL LC-IBPL CD30 + NHLc 0/13 2/8 3/16 0/3

[0253] Other Genetic Lesions

[0254] The other genetic lesions investigated in the panel of AIDS-NHL included infection by EBV of the tumor clone, activation of the c-MYC and RAS proto-oncogenes, and inactivation of the p53 tumor suppressor gene. The experimental strategies used to investigate these lesions have been described in detail elsewhere (13, 45, 40). For some of the cases, the molecular characterization of these genetic lesions have been previously reported (13, 14, 41); for the other cases, it has been assessed in the course of this study.

[0255] EBV infection was assessed by Southern blot hybridization using a probe representative of the EBV termini (38) which allows to analyze clonality in EBV-infected tissues (23) (FIGS. 16A-16C). A monoclonal infection was detected in 5/13 (38%) SNCCL, 17/24 DLCL (71s) [3/8 (37.5%) LNCCL and 14/16 (87.5%) LC-IBPL] and 3/3 (100%) CD30+ cases.

[0256] Rearrangements of c-MYC were tested by hybridizing HindIII and EcoRI digested DNAs with a probe representative of c-MYC exon 3(41) (FIGS. 16A-16C). Rearrangements were present in 13/13 SNCCL (100%), 5/24 (20.8%) DLCL [2/8 (25%) LNCCL and 3/16 (18.7%) LC-IBPL], and 2/3 CD30+ cases.

[0257] Mutations of p53 and RAS were analyzed by a two step strategy. Single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis was applied to p53 exons 5 through 9 (in 29 cases) or p53 exons 5 through 8 (in 6 cases) and to N-, K-, and H-RAS exons 1 and 2 (in 29 cases); cases displaying an altered electrophoretic pattern by SSCP were further studied by DNA direct sequencing of the PCR product. p53 mutations were scored in 8/13 (61.5%) SNCCL, but in none of the DLCL tested (0/22). Finally, RAS activation by point mutation was positive in 3/13 (23%) SNCCL and in 1/16 (6%) DLCL tested.

[0258] The molecular features of the cases displaying BCL-6 rearrangements are listed in Table 4. Overall, BCL-6 rearrangements were detected both in the presence and in the absence of clonal EBV infection of the tumor, whereas c-MYC alterations and p53 mutations were consistently absent in the cases displaying DCL-6 rearrangements. TABLE 4 Molecular features of AIDS-DLCL^(a) PATIENT HISTOL.^(b) CLONALITY BCL-6 EBV c-MYC p53 RAS DK782 LNCCL + + − − − − DK1178 LNCCL + + − − − − DK1028 LNCCL + − − − − − DK3973 LNCCL + − + − − − DK773 LNCCL + − − + − − RDF834 LNCCL + − + + − − DK1452 LNCCL + − − − − − DKG4 LNCCL + − + − − + DK771 LC-IBPL + + + − − − K827 LC-IBPL + + + − − − DS16 LC-TBPL + + + − − ND DK3537 LC-TBPL + − + + − − DK3357 LC-TBPL + − + − − − DK63 LC-TBPL + − + − − − DK1446 LC-IBPL + − + + − − DK3479 LC-IBPL + − − − − − DK2092 LC-IBPL + − + − − − DS17 LC-IBPL + − − − − ND DS45 LC-TBPL ND − + − − ND DS46 LC-IBPL + − + + − ND DS93 LC-IBPL + − + − − ND DS136 LC-IBPL + − + − − ND DS155 LC-IBPL + − + − − ND DS165 LC-IBPL + − + − − ND

Experimental Discussion

[0259] Diffuse large cell lymphoma (DLCL) represents the most frequent type of AIDS-NHL in the HIV-infected adult (8). Despite its epidemiologic relevance, the molecular pathogenesis of these tumors is largely unclarified (3). Analysis of the genomic configuration of BCL-6 in a panel of AIDS-NHL indicates that BCL-6 rearrangements are involved in approximately 20% of AIDS-DLCL, whereas they are consistently negative in AIDS-SNCCL. In this respect, BCL-6 rearrangements may be considered the first identified genetic lesion specific for the DLCL type among AIDS-NHL. BCL-6 rearrangements are present in both subgroups of DLCL, i.e. LNCCL and LC-IBPL, and occur both in the absence and in the presence of EBV infection of the tumor clone (Table 4). On the other hand, BCL-6 rearrangements were never detected in AIDS-DLCL carrying c-MYC alterations (Table 4).

[0260] The molecular pathway leading to AIDS-SNCCL involves c-MYC rearrangements, p53 mutations, and EBV infection in 100%, 60%, and 40% of the cases, respectively (13-26). The presence of somatic hypermutation in the immunoglobulin variable regions utilized by AIDS-SNCCL points to chronic antigen stimulation as an additional mechanism in the development of these tumors. The second genetic pathway is associated with AIDS-DLCL, involves EBV in the large majority of cases, as well as c-MYC and/or ECL-6 rearrangements in a fraction of cases (13-26). These distinct pathogenetic mechanisms correlate with a number of clinical features which distinguish AIDS-SNCCL from AIDS-DLCL, including different age of onset and different CD4 counts at the time of lymphoma development (1,2,8).

[0261] Results suggest that the frequency of BCL-6 rearrangements in AIDS-DLCL is significantly lower than that in DLCL in the immunocompetent host, where BCL-6 rearrangements occur in more than 40% of the cases. It is possible that the genetic pathogenesis of these two groups of tumors is different, and that the molecular mechanisms active in AIDS-DLCL are characterized by a higher degree of heterogeneity. Among DLCL in the immunocompetent host, BCL-6 rearrangements are associated with distinct clinical features, including the extranodal origin of the lymphoma and the lack of bone marrow involvement. In addition, the presence of this rearrangement appears to represent a favorable prognostic marker.

REFERENCES FOR SECTION IV:

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[0266] 5. Ragni, M. V., et al. (1993) Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-associated non-Hodgkin's lymphomas and other malignancies in patients with hemophilia, Blood 81:1889.

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[0268] 7. Raphael, B. G., and Knowles, D. M. (1990) Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-associated lymphomas,

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[0276] 14. Gaidano, G., et al. (1993) In vitro establishment of AIDS-related lymphoma cell lines: phenotypic characterization, oncogene and tumor suppressor gene lesions, and heterogeneity in Epstein-Barr virus infection, Leukemia 7:1621.

[0277] 15. Groopman, J. E., et al. (1986) Pathogenesis of B-cell lymphoma in a patient with AIDS, Blood 67:612.

[0278] 16. Pelicci, P.-G., et al. (1986) Multiple monoclonal B cell expansions and c-myc oncogene rearrangements in acquired immune deficiency syndrome-related lymphoproliferative disorders. Implications for lymphomagenesis, J. Exp. Med. 164:2049.

[0279] 17. Subar, M., et al. (1988) Frequent c-myc oncogene activation and infrequent presence of Epstein-Barr Virus genome in AIDS-associated lymphoma, Blood 72:667.

[0280] 18. Haluska, F. G., et al. (1989) Molecular resemblance of an AIDS-associated lymphoma and endemic Burkitt lymphomas: implications for their pathogenesis, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 86:8907.

[0281] 19. Meeker, T. C., et al. (1991) Evidence for molecular subtypes of HIV-associated lymphoma: division into peripheral monoclonal, polyclonal and central nervous system lymphoma, AIDS 5:669.

[0282] 20. Epstein-Barr virus and AIDS associated lymphomas. Editorial, Lancet 338:979, (1991).

[0283] 21. Hamilton-Dutoit, S. J., et al. (1991) Detection of Epstein-Barr virus genomes in AIDS related lymphomas: sensitivity and specificty of in situ hybridization compared with Southern blotting, J. Clin. Pathol. 44:676.

[0284] 22. Hamilton-Dutoit, S. J., et al. (1991) AIDS-related lymphoma. Histopathology, immunophenotype, and association with Epstein-Barr virus as demonstrated by in situ nucleic acid hybridization, Am. J. Pathol. 138:149.

[0285] 23. Neri, A., et al. (1991) Epstein-Barr virus infection precedes clonal expansion in Burkitt's and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-associated lymphoma, Blood 77:1092.

[0286] 24. Nakamura, H., et al. (1993) Mutation and protein expression of p53 in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-related lymphomas, Blood 82:920.

[0287] 25. Carbone, A., et al. (1993) Human immunodeficiency virus-associated systemic lymphomas may be subdivided into two main groups according to Epstein-Barr viral latent gene expression, J. Clin. Oncol. 1:1674.

[0288] 26. Ye, B. H., et al. (1993) Cloning of BCL-6, the locus involved in chromosome translocations affecting band 3q27 in B-cell lymphoma, Cancer Res. 53:2732.

[0289] 27. Ye, B. H., et al. (1993) Alterations of a zinc finger-encoding gene, BCL-6, in diffuse large cell-lymphoma, Science 262:747.

[0290] 28. Baron, B. W., et al. (1993) Identification of the gene associated with the recurring chromosomal translocations t(3;14)(q27;q32) and t(3;22)(q27;qll) in B-cell lymphomas, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90:5262.

[0291] 29. Kerckaert, J.-P., et al. (1993) LAZ3, a novel zinc-finger encoding gene, is disrupted by recurring chromosome 3q27 translocations in human lymphoma, Nature Genet. 5:66.

[0292] 30. Deweindt, C., et al. (1993) Cloning of a breakpoint cluster region at band 3q27 involved in human non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Genes, Chrom. & Cancer 8:149.

[0293] 31 Bastard, C., and Tilly, H. (1993) Response to letter “t(2;3)(pl2;q27) in Hodgkin's disease of a human immunodeficiency-virus positive patient with hemophilia”, by Schlegelberger B, Grote W, Wacker HH, Bartels H., Blood 81:265.

[0294] 32. Knowles, D. M., et al. (1986) T-cell receptor Beta chain (TB) gene rearrangements: genetic markers of T-cell lineage and clonality, Hum. Pathol. 17:546.

[0295] 33. Miller, S. A., et al. (1988) A simple salting out procedure for extracting DNA from human nucleated cells, Nucleic Acid Res. 16:1215.

[0296] 34. Sambrook, J., et al. (1989) Molecular cloning: a laboratory manual. Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.

[0297] 35. Feinberg, A. P., and Vogelstein, B. (1983) A technique for radiolabeling DNA restriction endonuclease fragments to high specific activity, Anal. Biochem. 132:6.

[0298] 36. Korsmeyer, S. J., et al. (1981) Developmental hierarchy of immunoglobulin gene rearrangement in human leukemic pre-B cells, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 78:7096.

[0299] 37. Dalla-Favera, R., et al. (1981) Human c-myc oncogene is located on the region of chromosome 8 that is translocated in Burkitt lymphoma cells, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 78:7096.

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[0301] 39. Chadburn, A., et al. (1993) CD30(Ki-1) positive anaplastic large cell lymphomas in individuals infected with the human immunodeficiency virus, Cancer 72:3078.

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EXPERIMENTAL DETAIL SECTION V Introduction

[0304] The group of diffuse lymphomas with a large cell component (DLLC), including diffuse mixed, immunoblastic, and large cell subtypes, and the group of follicular lymphomas, each comprise about 40 per cent of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) in this country (1). Together, the incidence of NHL is increasing at 3 to 4 per cont a year, a rate second only to that of malignant melanoma and lung cancer in women (2). Despite significant advances in treatment, approximately half of patients with DLLC will succomb to their disease, although “high risk” individuals may successfully be treated by intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy regimens including autologous bone marrow transplantation (3-7). The formulation of prognostic models allow clinical trials to be directed toward groups of patients with different risks for failure after conventional treatment (5).

[0305] Cytogenetic studies as well as molecular genetic analysis of alterations involving proto-oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes have provided insights into the pathogenesis of NHL, and have also contributed diagnostic and prognostic markers (8,9). Examples include rearrangements of the BCL-2 gene at 18q21 observed in up to 85 per cent of follicular lymphomas, the BCL-1 gene at llql3 rearranged in intermediate differentiation NHL, and the MYC gene, perturbed in Burkitt's lymphoma (8,9). While no recurring genetic abnormality has been specifically associated with diffuse large cell lymphoma, rearrangement of BCL-2 has been observed in 20 to 30 per cent of cases, where it has been associated with decreased overall or disease free survival (10-12). Chromosomal translocations including those involving the MYC proto-oncogene, while noted in DLLC, were not as prognostically significant as other recurring chromosomal abnormalities (8,13).

[0306] BCL-6 (14-19) rearrangement is found to denote a subset of DLLC characterized by extranodal presentation and a favorable clinical outcome. These results indicate that, in concert with other clinical features, this molecular marker may be utilized as a prognostic indicator at the time of diagnosis.

Materials and Methods

[0307] This study was comprised of 102 cases of DLLC studied at diagnosis with documented clonal rearrangement of the IGH gene and DNA available for further analysis, derived form 229 DLLC serially ascertained over a nine year period. Excluded were 127 cases studied at relapse, T cell DLLC, or cases for which no DNA was available. For this study, DLLC was defined as lymphomas of diffuse large cleaved, non-cleaved, immunoblastic, or mixed subtype, according to the International Working Formulation (20) as classified by a hematopathologist (DCS or DF). Cytogenetic analysis was attempted on each of the specimens as previously described (21). For detection of BCL-6 rearrangements, DNA from each case was digested with BamHI and XbaI and subjected to Southern blot analysis utilizing a 4kb Sacl-Sacl fragment of the BCL-6 gene as a probe (19). Cases which did not yield metaphases for karyotypic analysis were also analyzed for rearrangement of the MBR and MCR breakpoint regions of the BCL-2 gene, as previously described (11). Aggregate descriptions of 47 of the cases in the current series were included in prior reports of cytogenetic abnormalities in DLLC (11, 13, 14). A detailed molecular analysis of 8 cases (nos. 352, 755, 1098, 1254, 1403, 1444, 1445) demonstrating BCL-6 rearrangement has been reported separately (19).

[0308] For each case, clinical data were compiled as previously described (22). Stage was assessed according to the modified Ann Arobr criteria (25). For the purposes of separate evaluation of number of extranodal sites of disease, radiographs or pathologic involvement of these sites were scored. In the quantitation of extranodal sites of disease as a prognostic variable, bone marrow, but not splenic involvement was scored, in accord with the International Prognostic Index (5).

[0309] Clinical endpoints including complete response and freedom from progression were defined as previously described (3). Of 102 patients with DLLC genetically analyzed prior to cytotoxic treatments, 93 received systemic chemotherapy. Nine patients with early stage disease were treated by surgical resection and/or radiation therapy. All patients were treated with curative intent. Chemotherapy treatments were classified into three groups: NHL-4, CHOP and BACOP (1st generation); m-BACOD, NHL-7 (2nd generation); MCOP_B, NHL-9, NHL-14, NHL-15, L-20 (3rd generation)(4,24,29). Eight patients expired before completion of therapy, with incomplete staging evaluations, or of infectious complications during or shortly after treatment. These cases were considered not valuable for the determination of remission status, but were included in the analysis of overall survival and freedom from progression. One patient was judged to be a complete remission which was confirmed by autopsy after expiration due to infectious complications 3 weeks after completion of protocol treatment. All deaths, regardless of cause were considered as endpoints in the analysis of overall survival. Median survival was determined by the method of Kaplan and Meler (30). Analysis of correlations between gene rearrangements and clinical features were performed utilizing Fisher's exact test (13). Means were compared utilizing two sample t-tests. Univariate comparisons of survival and duration free from progression were made by log rank test. Survival and freedom from progression estimates are quoted with confidence intervals (CI) given in parentheses. Multivariate analysis was performed utilizing the Cox regression model (31). Stepwise multiple logistic regression was sued in the multivariate analysis of factors prognostic for achieving a complete response. For all statistical analyses, a P<0.05 based on a 2-sided test was considered significant.

Experimental Results

[0310] Of 102 cases of DLLC studied at diagnosis, 23 demonstrated BCL-6 rearrangement, 21 demonstrated t(14;18) or rearrangement of BCL-2, and 58 demonstrated no evidence of either BCL-6 or BCL-2 rearrangement. Representative results of hybridization analysis for rearrangement of BCL-6 are depicted in FIGS. 17A-17B. The clinical characteristics of groups according to BCL-6 or BCL-2 rearrangement are summarized in Table 5. The histologic subtypes and clinical features of the BCL-6 rearranged cases are shown in Table 6.

[0311] The key to Table 6 is as follows: Underlining signifies site from which biopsy was performed. Histology: DLC=diffuse large cell; IMB− immunoblastic; DML=diffuse mixed lymphoma; LDH= lactate dehydrogenase in units/ml; (B)=bulky disease (>8 cm or ⅓ thoracic diameter); CHOP= cyclophosphamide, daunorubicin, vincristine, prednisone; MACOPB=methotrexate, daunorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, prednisone, bleomycin; MBACOD=same drugs as MACOPB with dexamethasone instead of prednixone and drugs in different schedule; PrCyBom−drugs of MACOPB plus cytosine arabinoside, etopiside, methotrexate; L-20−vincristine, cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, daunorubicin, prednisone, cytosine arabinoside, 1-asparaginase, BCNU, 6-mercaptopurine, dactinomycin; 1-20 includes randomization to autologous transplantation; NHL-7= CHOP plus methyl GAG, etoposide(36), NHL-14= short course PrCyBom; NHL-15=high dose daunorubicin, vincristine, cyclophosphamide(29); RT=radiation therapy; SURG=surgery CR=complete response; sCR= surgical complete response (all evaluable disease resected); PR=partial response; “+”=alive at last follow-up; e=expired; rel=relapse; NE=not evaluable; *=Patient 1445 had a history of low grade NHL of eyelid 7 years earlier, treated by radiotherapy. # Skin involvement of patient 252 was not noted in a prior report (14) and patient 1445 had a history of low grade NHL of eyelid 7 years earlier, treated by radiotherapy.

[0312] While each of the BCL-6 rearranged cases was classified as a DLLC, the range of morphologies included diffuse large cell (cleaved and non-cleaved) and less frequently, immunoblastic, or mixed histologies. Extensive necrosis and extranodal extension were common histologic features, and were present in one of two cases of BCL-6 rearrangement which did not show clinical evidence of extranodal disease.

[0313] The BCL-6 rearranged cases had a mean age of 64.1 years at presentation and a high frequency of extranodal involvement by disease; 19 of 23 cases had stages IE, IIE, IIIE or stage IV desease, compared to 48 of 79 of BCL-6 germline cases (p+0.07). Extranodal sites included muscle or subcutaneous tissues (6 cases), stomach (5 cases), lung or pleura (5 cases), skin, breast, bowel, thyroid, pancreas, or kidney, as assessed by biopsy or radiographic abnormalities which improved after chemotherapy. Of the 7 cases with state IE or IIE decrease, 5 were primary extranodal lymphomas, while 2 were extranodal extensions from a primary nodal site. Two cases were primary splenic lymphomas. In two cases, there was only peripheral adenopathy. Compared to BCL-6 germline cases, there was no significant difference in the proportion of BCL-6 rearranged cases with stage IV disease. Bone marrow involvement was observed in 15 of 75 BCL-6 germline cases biopsied, compared to only 1 of the 23 stage IV BCL-6 rearranged cases (P=0.1).

[0314] All but one of the 23 patients with BCL-6 rearrangement at the time of diagnosis received anthracycline-containing chemotherapy. This patient remained free of disease eight years after resection of a primary splenic large cell lymphoma. At median follow-up in excess of two years, 21 of the 23 patients with BCL-6 rearrangement survived; the actuarial survival was 91 per cent (CI 80 per cent to 100 per cent). Two patients expired during or immediately following treatment; an autopsy in one case revealed no evidence of lymphoma. This patient, and 19 others were judged to have achieved a complete remission after treatment. Two patients relapsed with recurrent disease in the lung and two patients had persistent subcutaneous masses. One of the relapse patients (case 295) went on to autologous transplanation and remains free of disease 78 months post-transplant.

[0315] With respect to known prognostic variables, the proportion of the BCL-6 rearranged cohort with LDH> 500 U per liter was similar to the proportion of the BCL-6 germline DLLC (3/23 versus 13/79; P=0.99). Five of 23 cases of DLLC with BCL-6 rearrangement demonstrated bulky disease, compared to 35 of 79 cases without BCL-6 rearrangement (P=0.1). The proportion of cases with “limited stage” (I, IE, II, or IIE) disease was comparable in the cohorts with and without BCL-6 rearrangement (Table 5). TABLE 5 Characteristics of 102 cases of DLLC BCL-6+ BCL-6 − BCL2− BCL-6 + BCL2+ n = 23 58 21 Mean age (years) 64.1 52.7 62.8 Mean lactate 405 331 389 dehydrogenase (U/ml) Mean extranodal 1.6 .93 .81 sites Bone marrow 1/23 8/54 7/21 involvement Stage I (IE) 3(1) 3(3) 0 II (IIE) 7(6) 22(6) 5 III (IIIE) 2(1) 8(2) 4 IV 11 25 12 Histology Diffuse large cell 20 53 19 Diffuse mixed 1 2 1 Immunoblastic 2 3 1 Treatment 1st generation 12 16 10 chemo. 2nd generation 1 10 3 chemo. 3rd generation 9 24 8 chemo. other 1 8 0 Complete Remission 20/23 35/50 15/21 Rate 86% 70% 71% Projected survival 91% 59% 46% at 36 months (CI (CI (CI 80%-100%) 44%-74%) 21%-72%) Projected freedom 82% 56% 31% from progression (CI (CI (CI at 36 months 66%-98%)  43%-70%)  8%-53%)

[0316] TABLE 6 Clinical features of 23 cases of DLLC with BCL6 rearrangement CASE ACE/ EXTRANODAL LDH CLINICAL NUMBER SEX STAGE SITES HISTOLOGY (BULK) TREATMENT OUTCOME  102 66/F IIS spleen DLC 3624  SURG, CHOP CR, 96+  147 61/F IS spleen DLC 365 SURG, RT sCR, 101+ (B)  252 54/M IV spleen, skin DLC 126 MACOPB CR, 88+  278 68/M IV pleura, DLC 235 MACOPB PR, 6* iliac mass  295 46/M IV lung DLC 179 MACOPB.L-20 CR, rel. 97+  352 53/F IV stomach, liver IMB 775 MACOPB CR, 81+ spleen. small (B) bowel. pleural effasion  470 74/F IV lung DLC 224 CHOP CR, 30+  534 70/F IIES spleen, mass DLC 278 CHOP CR, 80+ involving pancreas (B)  763 79/F IIE stomach DLC 196 CHOP CR, 60+  970 75/M IV kidney, DLC 240 NHL-14 CR, 4* stomach 1020 60/M IIIE tonsil, DLC 303 CHOP CR, 100+ pancreas 1056 63/M IIE stomach DLC 213 SURG. MBACOD CR, 100+ 1058 59/M IIE axillary mass DLC 206 PrCyBos CR, 37+ involving breast 1098 74/F IV subcutaneous DML 181 RT. CHOP PR, 36+ masses 1189 71/M IV subcutaneous DLC 330 CHOP PR, 21+ masses 1254 24/F IIE thyroid DLC 196 CHOP/RT CR, 27+ 1264 76/F IV Lung, liver, DLC 234 CHOP CR, rel. 27+ spleen, kidney 1299 50/M II deltoid mass. DLC 529 PrCyBon CR, 16+ bone (B) 1363 47/M III NONE DLC 129 NHL.15 CR, 16+ 1403 62/M I NONE IMB 222 CHOP. RT CR, 11+ 1407 71/M IIE stomach DLC 206 SURG, CHOP CR, 12+ 1444 70/F IV lung DLC 150 CHOP CR, 14+ 1445 63/F IV neck mass DLC 174 NHL-15 CR, 8+ involving muscle*, bone marrow

[0317] Multivariate Analysts of Clinical Outcome

[0318] The median duration free from progression of disease was not reached in the BCL-6 rearranged DLLC compared to 70 months for BCL-6 germline cases, regardless of BCL-2 status (P=0.009) (FIG. 18A). Projected freedom from progression at 36 months was 82% (CI 66%- 98%) and 49% (CI 37%-60%), respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that four variables, BCL-6 status, stage IV disease, bulk of disease, and LDH (log transformed) were the most powerful prognostic indicators for freedom from progression (Table 7). Multivariate analysis of survival demonstrated that bulk, LDH, BCL-6 status, and stage IV disease were the most useful predictors of overall survival (P=0.01, P=0.02, P=0.02, P=0.05, respectively). TABLE 7 Multivariate analysis of freedom from progression Variables selected into Cox regression Relative P value model Risk (Wald chi square) BCL-6 rearranged 0.18 (CI) .04-.78)  0.007 Bulky disease 2.4 (CI 1.3-7.4) 0.01 Stage IV disease 2.1 (CI 0.98-5.2) 0.03 LDH (log transformed) 1.6 (CI 1.1-3.9) 0.05

[0319] The prognostic value of BCL-6 gene status was compared to risk variables calculated according to the International Prognostic Index⁵, including serum LDH level, stage, performance status, and number of extranodal sites. A cox regression analysis confirmed the independent prognostic value of BCL-6 gene status; patients with BCL-6 rearrangement had a relative risk (RR) of dying of 0.09 (CI 0.02 to 0.42) compared to patients without BCL-6 rearrangement, controlling for the other prognostic variables in the model (P=0.002).

[0320] When cases were considered with respect to BCL-2 status, the BCL-2 rearranged cases demonstrated a trend for a decreased survival compared to BCL-2 germline cases, regardless of BCL-6 status (P=0.12). When BCL-6 and BCL-2 status were considered together (FIG. 18B), BCL-6 rearranged cases demonstrated a projected actuarial survival at 36 months of 91% (CI 80%-100%) compared to 59% (CI 44%-74%) for the BCL-6 germline/BCL-2 germline cohort, and 46% (CI 21%-72%) for the BCL-2 rearranged cohort. While the logrank test between these three cohorts demonstrated a difference in survival (P=0.02, FIG. 18B), the major factor driving the significant summary P value was the better survival of the BCL-6 rearranged cohort. The projected freedom from progression at 36 months was 82 (CI 66%-98%), 56% (CI 43%-70%) and 31% (CI 8%-53%) for the three groups. Median follow-up for survivors was two years. BCL-2 rearrangement did not emerge as an independent prognostic marker in the multivariate analysis of survival or freedom from progression.

[0321] There was also no prognostically significant effect of generation of chemotherapy treatment on survival, or freedom from progression (P=0.95, 0.21, respectively). There was a trend for a higher complete response rate among the BCL-6 rearranged cohort (Table 5, P=0.1), although logistic regression revealed that only the clinical parameters LDH, stage IV, and bulk of disease were independent predictors of response.

[0322] Relationship between BCL-6, BCL-2, and 8q24 Rearrangements

[0323] Of the 79 cases which lacked BCL-6 rearrangement, 21 demonstrated t(14;18) (q32;q21) or rearrangement of BCL-2 by molecular analysis. These cases were characterized by an older age at diagnosis, but were similar to the larger cohort of BCL-2 negative, BCL-6 negative cases with respect to LDH, and distribution of histologies (Table 6).

[0324] Nine cases of DLLC demonstrated t (8;14) (q24;q32) Three of these biopsies were from extranodal sites including liver, bone and soft tissue. Two additional cases were splenic lymphomas. In two cases, t(8;14) bearing DLLC also demonstrated BCL-6 rearrangement. There was no impact on survival of the t(8; 14) in DLLC with or without BCL-6 rearrangement. The two cases of t(8;14) with co-incident BCL-6 rearrangement did not show evidence of histologic transformation or other unusual histologic features. One of these cases (no. 147) was the single case treated by splenectomy and radiation therapy alone. The second case was the single BCL-6 rearranged case successfully salvaged by autologous transplantation.

[0325] Cytogenetic Features, Including the Relationship Between 3q27 and BCL-6 Rearrangement

[0326] Of the 65 DLLC with karyotypic abnormalities, 14 demonstrated translocations and one a deletion affecting band 3q27; only 11 among these 15 cases showed rearrangement of BCL-6 Five cases with apparently normal chromosomes 3 demonstrated BCL-6 rearrangements by DNA analysis.

Experimental Discussion

[0327] As a group, DLLC are among the most common forms of NHL seen in this country (1). These tumors have not, however, been associated with a characteristic genetic abnormality (8). Seen in the vast majority of follicular lymphomas, t(14;18)(q32;q21) or its molecular equivalent, BCL-2 rearrangement, have been observed in 20 to 30 per cent of DLLC (8). In such cases, the t(14;18) may reflect a follicular origin of these tumors. The recognition of translocations involving 3q27 and the sites of IG genes, 14q32, 22q11, and 2p12, in predominantly diffuse NHL led to the molecular cloning of BCL-6 (14-19). While not unique to diffuse large cell lymphomas, translocations affecting 3q27 were observed only in 7 of > 200 cases off follicular NHL with abnormal karyotype reported in catalog of chromosome abnormalities in cancer (32). Of 28 cases of follicular NHL analyzed in a prior study, none demonstrated rearrangement of BCL-6 (19). BCL-6 rearrangement was established as the most common genetic lesion specific to DLLC at the time of diagnosis.

[0328] Unlike 18q21 translocations in NHL which, to date only have involved IG gene loci as reciprocal partners, 3q27 translocations demonstrated a marked promiscuity of rearrangement partners. In addition to the sites of the IG genes, reciprocal translocations involving the 3q27-29 region with at least 12 other loci; a total of 79 DLLC with 3q27 translocations has been demonstrated.

[0329] Since 4 tumors in the current series with documented 3q27 aberrations did not reveal BCL-6 rearrangement with the probe used in this study, the true frequency of BCL-6 rearrangement in DLLC at diagnosis may be higher than the 23 per cent rate reported here. Additional breakpoints may be documented outside the recognized break cluster region of BCL-6 (19), in neighboring genes such as EV-1 (34), or in other genes not yet described. Such molecular heterogeneity is not unique in NHl; seemingly identical chromosomal translocations have been shown to demonstrate a diversity of breakpoints possibly involving different genes (35).

[0330] The frequent occurrence of BCL-6 rearrangement in DLLC characterized by extranodal involvement represents one of the few genetic markers for this subset of lymphoma (8). Rearrangements of BCL-1, BCL-2, or BCL-3 have been documented infrequently in extranodal lymphomas (36-38), while 5 of 12 gastric lymphomas in one series demonstrated MYC (8q24) rearrangement (38). The current series did not confirm the association between 8q24 rearrangement and gastric lymphoma, although t(8;14) was seen in five cases of extranodal lymphoma, one of which also showed BCL-6 rearrangement. The proportion of BCL-6 rearranged cases with stages IE, IIE, IIIE, or IV disease was higher than the proportion of BCL-6 germline DLLC; in the latter group, stage IV disease was more commonly due to bone marrow involvement. Whether this association with extranodal involvement of disease reflects an effect of the primary deregulation of BCL-6 or “secondary” genetic events associated with tumor progression (8,21) is unclear. The observation of t(3;22), t(2;3), or t(3;14) as solitary cytogenetic abnormalities in some tumors (14,15), is consistent with a primary pathogenetic role for this translocation.

[0331] While this analysis and two other reports did not confirm the very short survival of BCL-2 rearranged DLLc initially reported (10, 12, 13, 39), the BCL-2 rearranged DLLC did demonstrate a trend for a poorer overall survival. The finding of a favorable prognosis for the subset of stage IE-IIE extranodal DLLC with BCL-6 rearrangement is consistent with prior reports of a good prognosis associated with localized extranodal large cell NHL treated with surgery or radiotherapy (40). Extranodal involvement in advanced stage disease, noted in the majority of the BCL-6 rearranged cases, has generally been considered a poor prognostic factor in large series of DLLc, although the negative impact of this feature was most evident when combined with other adverse indicators such as bulk, high LDH, or low performance status (5, 22, 41). In contrast, bone marrow involvement, observed in 22 percent of DLLC, and considered an extranodal site in the International Prognostic Index (5), was rare in the BCL-6 rearranged cohort. The favorable treatment outcome of the BCL-6 cohort, must also be tempered by the observation of relapse or residual disease in 3 of the patients still alive. An additional relapse case remains in remission 6 years after “salvage” autologous transplantation.

[0332] The BCL-6 rearranged cohort of DLLC also possessed other clinical markers of favorable prognosis; although comparable with respect to LDH and proportion with stage I-IIIE disease, the proportion of cases with bulky disease or bone marrow involvement was lower in the BCL-6 rearranged cohort. Multivariate analysis suggested, however, that BCL-6 gene rearrangement added independent prognostic power when analyzed together with clinically-derived variables of the International Prognostic Index (5). This observation is illustrated by case 352, which displayed both BCL-6 rearrangement as well as clinical features consistent with a high level of risk in the International Index (elevated LDH, extensive extranodal involvement, low performance status, and stage IV disease), but who attained a durable remission.

[0333] Because of issues of toxicity versus efficacy of autologous bone marrow transplantation or peripheral stem cell rescue, the identification of both favorable and unfavorable prognostic markers offers the potential to stratify treatment approaches to DLLC based on risk groups (4-7, 22, 41). The probability of treatment failure remains as high as 25-40 per cent for the most favorable subsets of DLLC based on current prognostic models, highlighting the need for genetic or other prognostic markers (5). In addition to its potential diagnostic and prognostic applications, the further identification of BCL-6 breakpoint regions offers the opportunity to develop new polymerase chain reaction-derived measures of minimal residual disease (43). The availability of BCL-6 rearrangement as a new molecular marker of large cell lymphoma constitutes a potentially important clinical tool in the management of patients with this desease.

REFERENCES FOR SECTION V

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[0343] 9. Yunis, J. J., (1989) bcl-2 and other genomic alterations in the prognosis of large-cell lymphoma, N. Engl. J. Med. 320:1047-54.

[0344] 10. Offit, K., et al. (1989) 18q21 rearrangement in diffuse large cell lymphoma: incidence and clinical significance, Br. J. Haematol. 72:178-83.

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[0346] 12. Offit, K., et al. (1991) Cytogenetic analysis of 434 consecutively ascertained specimens of non-Hodkin's lymphoma: clinical correlations, Blood 77:1508-15.

[0347] 13. Offit, K., et al. (1989) t(3;22) (q27;q11): A novel translocation associated with diffuse non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Blood 74:1876-79.

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[0349] 15. Ye, B. H., et al. (1993) Cloning of bcl6, the locus involved in chromosome translocations affecting band 3q27 in B-cell lymphoma, Cancer Res. 53:2732-35.

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[0351] 17. Kerckaert, J.-P., et al. (1993) LAZ3, a novel zinc-finger encoding gene, is disrupted by recurring chromosome 3q27 translocations in human lymphomas, Nat. Genet. 5:66-70.

[0352] 18. Ye, B. H., et al. (1993) Alterations of a novel zinc-finger encoding gene, bcl-6, in diffuse large-cell lymphoma, Science 262:747-750.

[0353] 19. The non-Hodkin's lymphoma pathologic classification project. National Cancer Institute sponsored study of classification of non-Hodkin's lymphomas: summary and description of a working formulation for clinical usage, Cancer 49:2112-35.

[0354] 20. Offit, K., et al. (1991) Cytogenetic analysis of 434 consecutively ascertained specimens of non-Hodkin's lymphoma: correlations between recurrent aberrations, histology, and exposure to cytotoxic treatment, Genes Chromosom. Cancer 3:189-201.

[0355] 21. Danieu, L., et al. (1986) Predictive model for prognisis in advanced diffuse histiocytic lymphoma, Cancer Res. 46:5372-79.

[0356] 22. Carbone, P. P., et al. (1971) Report of the committee on Hodgkin's disease staging classification, Cancer Res. 31:1860-61.

[0357] 23. Kempin, S., et al. (1983) Combined modality therapy of advanced nodular lymphomas, Proc. Annu. Meet. Am. Soc. Clin. Oncol. 2:56.

[0358] 24. Carrato, A., et al. (1987) Randomized comparison of CHOP versus Bleo CHOP for the treatment of diffuse NHL, Proc. Annu. Meet. Am. Soc. Clin. Oncol. 6:779.

[0359] 25. Lowenthal, D. A., et al. (1987) The NHL-7 protocol: Alternating non-cross resistant chemotherapy containing methyl-GAG for diffuse non-Hodkin's lymphoma, Proc. Annu. Meet. Am. Soc. Clin. Oncol. 6:778.

[0360] 26. Warrell, R. P., et al. (1989) Short term intensive treatment of intermediate-grade non-Hodkin's lymphoma using infusional chemotherapy, Proc. Annu. Meet. Am. Soc. Clin. Oncol. 8:1054.

[0361] 27. Straus, D. H., et al. (1991) Small non-Cleaved cell lymphoma (undifferentiated lymphoma/Burkitt's type) in American adults. Results with treatment designed for acute lymphoblastic leukemia in adults, Am. J. Med. 90: 328-337.

[0362] 28. O'Brien, J., et al. (1992) NHL-15 protocol for diffuse aggressive lymphomas: a dose intense regimen of doxorubicin, vincristine, and cyclophosphamide, Blood 80:157a.

[0363] 29. Kaplan, E. L., and Meier, P. (1958) Nonparametric estimation from incomplete observations, J. Am. Stat. Soc. 53:457-81.

[0364] 30. Cox, D. R. Regression models and life tables, J. R. Stat. Soc. B. 34:187-220.

[0365] 31. Mitelman, F. (1991) Catalog of chromosome aberrations in cancer, New York.

[0366] 32. Leroux, D., et al. (1990) Translocation t(3;22) (q27;q11) in three patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma, Leukemia 4:373-376.

[0367] 33. Fichelson, S., et al. (1992) Evi-1 expression in leukemic patients with rearrangements of the 3q25-q28 chromosomal region, Leukemia 6:93-99.

[0368] 34. Ladanyi M, et al. (1992) Follicular lymphoma with t(8;14) (q24;q32). A distinct clinical and molecular subset of t(8;14)-bearing lymphomas, Blood 79:2124-30.

[0369] 35. Raghoebier, S., et al. (1991) Essential differences in oncogene involvement between primary nodal and extranodal large cell lymphoma, Blood 78:2680-86.

[0370] 36. Clark, H. M., et al. (1992) Cytogenetic and molecular studies of t(8;14) and t(14;19) in nodal and extranodal b:cell lymphoma, J. Pathol. 166:129-37.

[0371] 37. Van Krieken, J. H. J. M., et al. (1991) Molecular genetics of gastrointestinal non-Hodkin's lymphomas: unusual prevalence and pattern of c-myc rearrangements in aggressive lymphomas, Blood 76:797-800.

[0372] 38. Romaguera, J. E., et al. (1993) The clinical relevance of t(14;18)/bcl-2 rearrangement and del 6q in diffuse large cell lymphoma and immunoblastic lymphoma, Ann. Oncol. 4:51-4.

[0373] 39. Rudders, R. A., et al. (1978) Primary extranodal lymphoma: Response to treatment and factors influencing prognosis. Cancer 42:406-16.

[0374] 40. Coiffier, B., et al. (1991) Prognostic factors in aggressive malignant lymphomas: description and validation of a prognostic index that could identify patients requiring a more intensive therapy, J. Clin. Oncol. 9:211-19.

[0375] 41. Schneider, A. M., et al. (1990) Treatment results with an aggressive chemotherapeutic regimen (MACOP-B) for intermediate and some high grade non-Hodkin's lymphomas, J. Clin. Oncol. 8:94-102.

[0376] 42. Gribben, J. G., et al. (1993) Detection by polymerase chain reaction of residual cells with the BCl-2 translocation is associated with increased risk of relapse after autologous bone marrow transplantation for b-cell lymphoma, Blood 81:3449-87.

Experimental Detail Section VI Introduction

[0377] The bcl-6 proto-oncogene encodes a POZ/Zinc finger transcriptional repressor expressed in germinal center (GC) B and T cells and required for GC formation and antibody affinity maturation. Deregulation of bcl-6 expression by chromosomal rearrangements and point mutations of the bcl-6 promoter region are implicated in the pathogenesis of B-cell lymphoma. The signals regulating bcl-6 expression are not known. Here the antigen receptor activation leads to BCL-6 phosphorylation by mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) is shown. Phosphorylation, in turn, targets BCL-6 for rapid degradation by the ubiquitin/proteasome pathway. These findings indicate that BCL-6 expression is directly controlled by the antigen receptor via MAPK activation. This signaling pathway may be crucial for the control of B-cell differentiation and antibody response and has implications for the regulation of other POZ/Zinc finger transcription factors in other tissues.

[0378] The bcl-6 proto-oncogene was identified by virtue of its involvement in chromosomal translocations in diffuse large cell lymphoma (DLCL), the most common form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) (Baron et al., 1993; Kerckaert et al., 1993; Ye et al., 1993; Miki et al., 1994) . Subsequent studies have demonstrated that rearrangements of the bcl-6 gene can be found in 30-40% of DLCL and in a minority (5-10%) of follicular lymphoma (FL) (Bastard et al., 1994; LoCoco et al., 1994; Otsuki et al., 1995) . These rearrangements juxtapose heterologous promoters, derived from other chromosomes, to the bcl-6 coding domain, causing its deregulated expression by a mechanism called promoter substitution (Ye et al., 1995; Chen et al., 1998).

[0379] The 5′ noncoding region of the bcl-6 gene can also be altered by somatic point mutations that are detectable, independent of rearrangements, in ˜70% DLCL, 45% FL and AIDS-associated NHL (Migliazza et al., 1995; Gaidano et al., 1997). Taken together, rearrangements and mutations of the bcl-6 promoter region represent the most frequent genetic alteration in human B-cell malignancies, suggesting that they may be important for tumorigenesis (Dalla-Favera et al., 1996).

[0380] The BCL-6 protein is a nuclear phosphoprotein belonging to the POZ/Zinc finger (ZF) family of transcription factors (Kerckaert et al., 1993; Ye et al., 1993; Miki et al., 1994). It contains six Krüppel-type carboxy-terminal zinc finger (ZF) motifs that have been shown to recognize specific DNA sequences in vitro (Chang et al., 1996; Seyfert et al., 1996) and an amino-terminal POZ motif (Albagli et al., 1995) shared by various ZF molecules including the Drosophila developmental regulators Tramtrack and Broad-complex (Harrison and Travers, 1990; DiBello et al., 1991), the human KUP (Chardin et al., 1991), ZID (Bardwell and Treisman, 1994) and PLZF (Chen et al., 1993) proteins as well as by POX viruses (Koonin et al., 1992) and the actin-binding Drosophila oocyte protein Kelch (Xue and Cooley, 1993). BCL-6 functions as a potent transcriptional repressor by binding to its DNA target sequence (Deweindt et al., 1995; Chang et al., 1996; Seyfert et al., 1996).

[0381] BCL-6 is an important regulator of lymphoid development and function. In the B-cell lineage, the BCL-6 protein is found only in B cells within germinal centers (GC), but not in pre-B cells or in differentiated progeny such as plasma cells. In the T-cell lineage, BCL-6 protein is detectable in cortical thymocytes and in CD4⁺ T cells within GC as well as scattered in the perifollicular area (Cattoretti et al., 1995; Onizuka et al., 1995; Allman et al., 1996). Mice deficient in BCL-6 display normal B-cell, T-cell and lymphoid organ development, but have a selective defect in T-cell-dependent antibody responses because of the inability of follicular B cells to proliferate and form GC (Dent et al., 1997; Ye et al., 1997). In addition, BCL-6-deficient mice develop an inflammatory response in multiple organs characterized by infiltration of eosinophils and IgE-bearing B lymphocytes typical of a Th2-mediated inflammatory response. These phenotypes may be explained by the ability of BCL-6 to bind the STAT-6 DNA-binding site and repress transcription activated by STAT-6, the main nuclear effector of IL-4 signaling (Dent, et al., 1997; Ye et al. 1997).

[0382] The expression and requirement of BCL-6 during GC formation and its alteration in GC-derived lymphoma suggest that BCL-6 may be a key regulator of GC development and antibody-mediated immune response. Toward the elucidation of the signals that regulate GC expression, we report here the identification of a signaling pathway by which B-cell antigen receptor directly regulates BCL-6 stability.

[0383] The BCL-6 gene encodes a POZ/Zinc finger protein which functions as a sequence-specific transcriptional repressor expressed in B cells and CD4+ T cells within germinal centers (GC) and downregulated in post-GC B cells. Inactivation of BCL-6 in mice demonstrated that it is required for GC formation, antibody affinity maturation and balanced required for GC formation, antibody affinity maturation and balanced required for GC formation, antibody affinity maturation and balanced Th-2-mediated response. BCL-6 gene expression is commonly deregulated in diffuse large cell lymphoma (DLCL) and, less frequently, in follicular lymphoma (FL) by rearrangements and mutations of its 5′ non-coding region. The mechanism regulating the specific pattern of expression of BCL-6 in GC lymphocytes is unknown. We show that BCL-6 can be phosphorylated by mitogen activated protein kinase(MAPK) in vitro as well as in vivo in 293T cells transfected with vectors expressing BCL-6 and constitutively activated MAPK kinase (MEK-2E). MAPK kinase expression leads to rapid degradation of BCL-6, which does not occur in the presence of inactive MEK or when BCL-6 phosphorylation mutants are used as targets, indicating that degradation is dependent upon phosphorylation. Phosphorylation-dependent degradation is mediated by the ubiquitin/proteasome pathway since it is prevented by MG132, a specific inhibitor, but not by inhibitors of other proteolytic pathways; in addition, ubiquitin-BCL-6 conjugates can be detected by immunoprecipitation. To demonstrate the physiologic significance of MAPK-mediated phosphorylation/degradation of BCL-6 in B cells, a B cell lymphoma cell line (Ramos) was treated with anti-IgM antibodies with mimics B cell antigen receptor signaling and specifically activates (ERK2) MAPK. This treatment led to rapid BCL-6 phosphorylation followed by ubiquitin/proteasome-dependent degradation. These results identify a MAPK-mediated signaling pathway by which antigen receptor activation causes inactivation of the BCL-6 transcription factor. Since BCL-6 is required for GC formation, this pathway may be critical for the antigen-driven post-GC differentiation of B cells into immunoblasts or memory cells.

Materials and Methods

[0384] Reagents and Plasmids

[0385] Goat anti-human IgM(A-heavy chain specific) was obtained from Southern Biotechnology. Polyclonal anti-BCL-6 (N-70-6) antiserum was produced by using the amino-terminal peptides of BCL-6 (Cattoretti et al., 1995). Monoclonal mouse anti-ERK2(C-14) was purchased from Santa Cruz Biotechnology. (Santa Cruz, Calif.). Monoclonal mouse anti-ubiquitin was obtained from Zymed laboratories, Inc.(South San Francisco, Calif.). Monoclonal mouse anti-HA (12CA5) was purchased from Boehringer Mannheim, as was Calpain Inhibitor II. Protein A-Sepharose CL-4B and glutathione-Sepharose were purchased from Pharmacia. Myelin basic protein (MBP) and N-CBZ-Leu-Leu-Leu-AL (MG132) were obtained from Sigma. PD098059 was purchased from Calbiochem-Novabiochem (La Jolla, Calif.). The GST-BCL6, GST-BCL6ΔZF, GST-BCL6ZF, GST-BCL6ΔZF_(Ala333) and GST-BCL6ΔZF_(Ala333,343) fusion proteins were produced by pGEX-2TK-based plasmids (Pharmacia Biotech) containing full-length, deletion or point mutants of bcl-6. The point mutations (Ala333, Ala343) were generated by PCR-based methods; the sequence of the resulting plasmids was confirmed by nucleotide sequence analysis. pMT2T-BCL-6 and B6BS-TK-LUC have been described as previous (Chang et al., 1996) . pMT2T-BCL-6_(Ala333,343) was constructed by transferring the BclI-NcoI fragments of plasmid pGEX-2TK-BCL6ΔZF_(Ala333,343) into the pMT2T-BCL-6 vector. MEK-2E-EE-CMV and MEK-EE-CMV for expressing of constitutively active or inactive MEK were provided by D. Templeton (Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio) . The pMT2T-HA-BCL-6, pMT2T-HA-BCL-6Δ(300-417), and pMT2T-HA-BCL-6ZF vectors were constructed by inserting the sequences encoding the HA epitope upstream and in frame with bcl-6 coding sequences. Deletion mutants of bcl-6 were produced by PCR-based methods and confirmed by sequencing. His₆-ubiquitin-CMV was kindly provided by T. Maniatis (Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass.). Episomally replicating plasmid, pHeBo-MT which carries EBV oriP, hygromycin B and MT promoter efficiently yields hygromycin-resistant colonies.

[0386] ERK2 Kinase Assays

[0387] BCL-6 GST fusion proteins were purified using glutathione-Sepharose beads as suggested by the manufacturer (Pharmacia Biotech). Recombinant ERK2 (New England Biolabs) assays were performed as suggested by the manufacturer using purified wild-type and mutant GST fusion proteins as substrates. In solid-phase ERK2 kinase assays, cells were lysed in ice-cold lysis-buffer (50 mM Tris at pH7.5, 10% glycerol, 1% Triton X-100, 150 mM NaCl, 100 mM NaF, 5 μM ZnCl,, 1 mM Na₃O₄, 10 mM EGTA, 2 mM PMSF, 1 μg/ml aprotinin, 1 μg/ml of leupeptin, and 1 μg/ml pepstatin) and centrifuged at 100,000 g for 15 min at 4° C. The supernatant (250-500 μg of cellular protein) was then immunoprecipitated using anti-ERK2 antibodies (C-14) and Protein A-Sepharose CL-4B. Beads were washed three times with lysis buffer and once with kinase buffer (50 mM Tris, pH7.5, 10 mM MnCl₂, 5 mM MgCl). Reactions were initiated by adding 50 μl of kinase buffer containing substrate MBP, 5 μM ATP and 5 μCi [γ-³²P] ATP. After 15 min at 37° C., reactions were terminated by adding 2×SDS-PAGE sample buffer. Samples were electrophoresed on 15% SDS-polyacrylamide gels which were then dried and analyzed by autoradiography.

[0388] Cell Transfection

[0389] 293T cells, grow in DMEM, 10% FBS, were transfected transiently with various DNA vectors using standard calcium phosphate precipitation methods. Ramos cells, grown in IMDM, 10% FBS, were transfected stably with the plasmid pHeBo-MT-HA-BCL-6, pHeBo-MT-HA-BCL-6_(Ala3333,343) and the deletion mutant construct pHeBo-MT-HA-BCL-6ZF by electroporation followed by selection in hygromycin B (400 μg/ml). HA-bcl-6 gene expression under control of the metallothionein (MT) promoter were induced by adding 1 μM of CdCl₂.

[0390] Northern and Western Blot Analysis

[0391] Total RNA were isolated from cells by using Trizol-reagents (GIBCO-BRL) and equal amounts of RNA were separated on 1% formaldehyde-agarose gel. Northern blot analysis was performed by using standard methods with full-length bcl-6 CDNA as probes and normalized by GAPDH hybridization. Whole-cell lysates were prepared by lysing cells in RIPA buffer with 2 mM PMSF, 1 μg/ml aprotinin, 1 μg/ml of leupeptin, 1 μg/ml pepstatin, 1 mM Na₃VO₄, 5 mM NaF, 10 mM β-glycerophosphate. For transient transfectants, protein amounts loaded on gel were normalized by transfection efficiency (β-gal activity) . For Ramos cells and their stable transfectants (untreated or treated), equal amounts of protein were analyzed by 8% or 10% SDS-PAGE, and subsequently by Western blot analysis using anti-BCL-6 (N-70-6), anti-ERK2 (C-14) or anti-HA (12CA5) antibodies at 1:3000, 1:1000 or 1:500 dilutions. The results were visualized by ECL (Amersham).

[0392] In Vivo Ubiquitination Assay

[0393] 293T cells were transfected transiently with pMT2T-BCL-6, His-ubiquitin-CMV and MEK-2E-CMV vectors as indicated. MG132 (50 μM) was added 8 hrs after transfection. The total amount of transfected DNA was kept constant in all experiments by adding empty vector. Twenty-four hours after transfection, cells were lysed in RIPA buffer with 10 mM N-ethylmaleimide and various protease inhibitors as described (Pagano et al., 1995). The cell lysates were then immunoprecipitated using anti-BCL-6 antibodies. The immunoprecipitates were loaded on 6% SDS-PAGE and processed for Western blot analysis using the anti-ubiquitin antibodies (Zymed) at 1:1000 dilution as described (Avantaggiati et al., 1996).

[0394] Pulse-Chase Labeling Experiment

[0395] Ramos cells (12×10⁷) were collected by centrifugation, washed in PBS, resuspended in 100 ml of DMEM without methionine and cysteine (GIBCO-BRL), and starved for 60 min. [³⁵S]methionine and ³⁵[S]cysteine (3 mCi; ICN) were added and pulse-labeled for 60 min, and then treated with anti-IgM for 30 min. Cold methionine and cysteine were then added to final concentrations of 150 μg/ml. Cells were collected and lysed in RIPA buffer with proteinase and phosphatase inhibitors. The cell extracts, adjusted for equal cpm, were immunoprecipitated with anti-BCL-6 antibodies, and analyzed by SDS-PAGE followed by autoradiography.

Experimental Results

[0396] Recent studies have shown that the BCL-6 protein is phosphorylated at multiple sites by mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), ERK-1 and ERK-2, but not by Jun amino-terminal kinase (JNK) in vitro and in vivo (Moriyama et al., 1997). The results shown in FIG. 19 confirm that purified recombinant MAPK (ERK-2) can phosphorylate GST-BCL-6 fusion proteins in vitro. The phosphorylation targets were mapped to the amino-terminal half of the molecule since a carboxy-terminal deletion mutant (GST-BCL-6AZF) could be phosphorylated at levels comparable to the wild-type molecule, whereas an amino-terminal deletion mutant (GST-BCL-6ZF) could not be phosphorylated at all (FIG. 19B). Because BCL-6 contains two perfect consensus sites (PXSP) for MAPK-mediated phosphorylation (see FIG. 19A), we generated two mutants (BCL-6_(Ala333) and BCL-6_(Ala333,343)) in which one or both of these sites were altered by substituting serines with alanines. These two mutants were phosphorylated at much lower levels than wild type BCL-6, with BCL-6_(Ala333,343) displaying the lowest levels (FIG. 19C). This result indicates that the Ser₃₃₃ and Ser ₃₄₃ residues represent a significant fraction, although not all, of the BCL-6 phosphorylation target sites. The residual low level of phosphorylation is consistent with the existence of additional potential MAPK target sequences (SP) clustered within the central domain of the BCL-6 molecule.

[0397] MAPK-Mediated Phosphorylation Induces BCL-6 Degradation

[0398] To determine the effects of MAPK-mediated phosphorylation on bcl-6 expression and function, 293T cells (which do not express endogenous BCL-6) were cotransfected with vectors expressing BCL-6, and a MEK (+E,uns MAAP/+E,uns ER+E,uns K kinase) mutant (MEK-2E) that functions as a constitutively active MAPK kinase (Yan and Templeton, 1994). Western blot analysis of transfected cell extracts showed that MEK-2E expression (documented by increased ERK2 kinase activity of MEK-2E transfected cell extracts in solid-phase kinase assays in vitro; FIG. 20A, bottom) induced a dramatic reduction of BCL-6, but not ERK, levels (FIG. 20A, top and middle). The observed reduction in BCL-6 protein levels was dependent upon the phosphorylation activity of MEK-2E, since it did not occur when a vector expressing inactive MEK was cotransfected with bcl-6 (FIG. 20B). Northern blot analysis of the same transfected cells showed that the reduction in BCL-6 protein levels were not caused by decreased bcl-6 mRNA levels (FIG. 20B, bottom). Furthermore, the MEK-2E-induced decrease in BCL-6 levels was dependent on target phosphorylation, as the partial phosphorylation-resistant mutant BCL-6_(Ala333,343) was partially resistant to MEK-2E-mediated down-regulation (FIG. 20C). These results indicate that the MEK-2E-induced decrease in BCL-6 levels is not caused by decreased gene transcription or protein synthesis, but rather by decreased protein stability. Consistent with the MEK-2E-induced reduction in BCL-6 levels, a transient cotransfection assay in 293T cells showed that MEK-2E, but not MEK, could eliminate the transcriptional transrepressor activity of wild-type BCL-6 (FIG. 20D, lanes 3-5) on a reporter vector expressing the luciferase gene downstream to the BCL-6 DNA-binding site (B6BS) (Chang et al., 1996); the partial phosphorylation-resistant mutant BCL-6_(Ala333,343) was partially resistant to MEK-2E (FIG. 20D, lanes 12-14). Overall, these results indicate that MAPK activation leads to functional inactivation of BCL-6 by causing its accelerated degradation.

[0399] BCL-6 Degradation is Mediated by Ubiquitin/Proteasome Pathway

[0400] In examining the possible mechanisms for MAPK-mediated degradation of BCL-6, we noted that the cluster of MAPK putative phosphorylation sites are embedded in a region enriched in proline, glutamine and serine, within which we identified three typical PEST sequences that score 9.4, 5.0, and 2.6, respectively (FIG. 21A; any score above zero denotes a possible PEST region; scores greater than five indicate the strongest candidates). These motifs have been demonstrated to represent targets for regulated protein degradation (Rogers et al., 1986; Rechsteiner and Rogers, 1996). To determine whether MAPK-mediated BCL-6 degradation targeted these PEST sequences, constructed vectors expressing two epitope HA-tagged bcl-6 deletion mutants (see FIG. 21A) and co-transfected them with the MEK-2E vector into 293T cells. Western blot analysis using anti-HA antibodies (FIG. 21B) showed that MEK-2E-mediated degradation targeted the amino-terminal half of the molecule and it was completely abolished in the BCL-6Δ(300-417) internal deletion mutant that lacks a small portion of the BCL-6 protein containing all three PEST sequences. These results indicate that MAPK-induced phosphorylation and degradation of BCL-6 target PEST sequences located in the same domain as the MAPK phosphorylation sites.

[0401] The involvement of PEST sequences suggested that MAPK-induced BCL-6 degradation could be mediated by the ubiquitin/proteasome pathway (Hochstrasser, 1996). Therefore, we tested whether MEK-2E mediated degradation of BCL-6 in transfected 293T cells could be inhibited by the proteasome inhibitor Cbz-LLL (MG132) (Kim and Maniatis, 1996; Palombella et al., 1994; Rock et al., 1994). FIG. 22A shows that BCL-6 degradation was completely inhibited by MG132, but not by DMSO (solvent control) or calpain inhibitor II (CI II), a cysteine-protease inhibitor (Kim and Maniatis, 1996; Palombella et al., 1994). Because the addition of multiple ubiquitins to the proteolysis substrate is a key step preceding target degradation by the proteasome, we then tested whether BCL-6/ubiquitin conjugates in vivo could be detected. To this end, 293T cells were transfected with vectors expressing BCL-6, MEK-2E and epitope (His₆)-tagged ubiquitin in the presence or absence of MG132. Cell lysates were subjected to immunoprecipitation with anti-BCL-6 antibodies, and the immunoprecipitates were analyzed by Western blotting using anti-ubiquitin antibodies. FIG. 22B shows that in the absence of MG132, low levels of BCL-6/ubiquitin were detectable when BCL-6 and ubiquitin were co-expressed with exogenous MEK-2E (lane 4); in the presence of MG132, typical ladders representing multi-ubiquitinated forms of BCL-6 were detectable at high levels in the presence of MEK-2E (lane 8) ; low levels were detectable also in its absence (lane 7), suggesting that the normal turn-over of BCL-6 degradation may be mediated by basal levels of endogenous MAPK activity. Based on the specific pharmacological inhibition and the detection of MEK-2E-inducible BCL-6/ubiquitin conjugates, we conclude that MAPK-induced phosphorylation induces degradation of BCL-6 via the ubiquitin/proteasome pathway.

[0402] MAPK-Mediated Phosphorylation and Degradation of BCL-6 is Induced by Antigen-Receptor Signaling in B Cells

[0403] To demonstrate the physiological significance of MAPK-mediated phosphorylation/degradation of BCL-6 in B cells, we treated a B-cell lymphoma cell line (Ramos) with anti-IgM antibodies, a treatment that mimics B-cell antigen-receptor signaling and specifically activates MAPK (ERK2) (Gold et al., 1992; Sakata et al., 1995; Sutherland et al., 1996). As previously demonstrated, an in vitro assay showed that ERK2 kinase activity was rapidly increased 5 min after anti-IgM treatment (FIG. 23A); this was followed by hyperphosphorylation of ERK2 and BCL-6 (note the slow migrating bands in FIG. 23A) and by the disappearance of BCL-6, but not ERK2. In the same experiment, Northern blot analysis showed that bcl-6 mRNA levels did not change during anti-IgM treatment of Ramos cells (FIG. 23A, bottom). In order to determine whether hyperphosphorylation was associated with increased BCL-6 instability, we analyzed the half-life of BCL-6 in anti-IgM-treated Ramos cells by a “pulse-chase” labeling experiment. The results (FIG. 23B) showed that the hyperphosphorylated (slow-migrating) forms of BCL-6 were significantly less stable than the hypophosphorylated (fast-migrating) forms (half life 4-6 hrs.). Anti-IgM-induced BCL-6 degradation was dependent upon phosphorylation since it was inhibited by a specific MAPK inhibitor PD098059 (FIG. 23C) (Dudley et al., 1995; Pang et al., 1995), and was mediated by the ubiquitin/proteasome pathway since was specifically inhibited by MG132 (FIG. 23D). Finally, anti-IgM treatment of Ramos cells stably transfected with Cadmium-inducible vectors expressing HA-tagged wild-type, 333/343 mutant, or amino-terminal deleted BCL-6 proteins showed that degradation required phosphorylation of the 333 and 343 serines as well as the amino-terminal half of BCL-6 containing the PEST motifs (FIG. 23E). These results demonstrate that MAPK-mediated phosphorylation of BCL-6 and its degradation by the ubiquitin/proteasome pathway represent a physiologic pathway that can be activated by antigen receptor signaling in B cells.

Experimental Discussion

[0404] The present study identifies a signal transduction pathway by which the antigen receptor regulates the stability of the BCL-6 transcription factor in B cells. The results have implications for the normal mechanism regulating GC formation as well as for the role of deregulated bcl-6 expression in lymphomas deriving from GC B cells. In addition, several observations suggest that MAPK-mediated regulation of POZ/Zinc finger protein stability may represent a general, highly conserved regulatory mechanism in eukaryotic cells.

[0405] Regulation of BCL-6 Stability During GC Formation

[0406] The finding that antigen-receptor-induced activation of MAPK leads to BCL-6 degradation must be seen in the context of the complex network of signals modulating receptor signaling in GC B cells (Tedder, et al., 1997; Cambier, 1997). During GC formation, activation of this pathway is consistent with the observation that pre-GC B cells in the follicular mantle zone, the site where B cells encounter the antigen, express bcl-6 RNA, but not the BCL-6 protein (Allman et al., 1996; Cattoretti et al., 1995). Within the GC, the coexistence of antigen and bcl-6 expression implies that antigen-receptor signaling must be modulated by mechanisms that allow BCL-6 stability. These mechanisms may include down-regulation of antigen-receptor expression in centroblasts (MacLennan, 1994), modulation of receptor signaling by CD22 or Fc γ receptor (Tedder, et al., 1997; Cambier, 1997), and the activity of de-ubiquitinases (DUB), which regulate substrate ubiquitination and are induced by cytokines acting on GC B cells (Zhu et al., 1996). During post-GC differentiation, antigen-induced degradation may serve as a rapid mechanism to down-regulate bcl-6 expression, in synergy with transcriptional down-regulation by CD40 signaling (Allman et al., 1996; Cattoretti et al., 1997). Finally, the regulation of BCL-6 stability during GC development is likely to be affected by various additional signals that activate MAPK in B cells including various cytokines (TNF, IL-6, IL-2) (Vietor et al., 1993; Minami et al., 1994; Fukada et al., 1996). The effect of these signals on the pathway linking the antigen receptor to BCL-6 can be tested in the experimental systems used in this study.

[0407] Implication for Lymphomagenesis

[0408] Most B-cell lymphoma types, including follicular (FL), diffuse large cell, (DLCL) and Burkitt (BL) lymphoma, are thought to derive from the GC B cells. Although rearrangements and/or mutations of the bcl-6 regulatory region are found most frequently in DLCL and FL, all GC-derived lymphoma, including those carrying a structurally normal bcl-6 gene, express the BCL-6 protein (Cattoretti et al., 1995). This implies that the BCL-6 protein is stable in tumor cells and suggests that MAPK-mediated degradation may be blocked by genetic or epigenetic alterations affecting the pathway leading to BCL-6 degradation. The observation that BCL-6 degradation can be triggered from the cell surface by activation of the antigen receptor has potential relevance for the therapy of B-cell lymphoma.

[0409] MAPK-Mediated Regulation of POZ/Zinc Finger Transcription Factors

[0410] MAPK is a ubiquitous, evolutionarily conserved signal transducer that is activated by heterogeneous signals that originate from the cell membrane and are transduced to MAPK via RAS proteins (Gold and Matsuuchi, 1995; Alberola-Ila et al., 1997). Accordingly, POZ/zinc finger proteins represent a large family of highly conserved transcription factors including Drosophila cell fate regulators such as Tramtrack and Broad-complex, as well as human cancer-associated proteins such as BCL-6 and PLZF. These molecules have strong structural (POZ and ZF domains), as well as functional homologies being transcriptional repressors that control cell differentiation (Albagli et al., 1995; Chen et al., 1994; Emery et al., 1994). Most notably, POZ/zinc finger proteins also carry possible MAPK phosphorylation sites and PEST sequences in approximately the same position as those carried by BCL-6 (Niu et al., unpublished observation). In Drosophila, degradation of TTK88, a POZ/zinc finger inhibitor of neural-cell differentiation, has been shown to be mediated by MAPK (Li et al., 1997; Tang et al., 1997). Thus, degradation of POZ/zinc finger transcription factors may represent a general mechanism by which the RAS/MAPK pathway controls cell function and differentiation.

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1 12 3720 base pairs nucleic acid double linear cDNA not provided CDS 328..2445 1 GGCCCCTCGA GCCTCGAACC GGAACCTCCA AATCCGAGAC GCTCTGCTTA TGAGGACCTC 60 GAAATATGCC GGCCAGTGAA AAAATCTTAT GGCTTTGAGG GCTTTTGGTT GGCCAGGGGC 120 AGTAAAAATC TCGGAGAGCT GACACCAAGT CCTCCCCTGC CACGTAGCAG TGGTAAAGTC 180 CGAAGCTCAA ATTCCGAGAA TTGAGCTCTG TTGATTCTTA GAACTGGGGT TCTTAGAAGT 240 GGTGATGCAA GAAGTTTCTA GGAAAGGCCG GACACCAGGT TTTGAGCAAA ATTTTGGACT 300 GTGAAGCAAG GCATTGGTGA AGACAAA ATG GCC TCG CCG GCT GAC AGC TGT 351 Met Ala Ser Pro Ala Asp Ser Cys 1 5 ATC CAG TTC ACC CGC CAT GCC AGG GAT GTT CTT CTC AAC CTT AAT CGT 399 Ile Gln Phe Thr Arg His Ala Arg Asp Val Leu Leu Asn Leu Asn Arg 10 15 20 CTC CGG AGT CGA GAC ATC TTG ACT GAT GTT GTC ATT GTT GTG AGC CGT 447 Leu Arg Ser Arg Asp Ile Leu Thr Asp Val Val Ile Val Val Ser Arg 25 30 35 40 GAG CAG TTT AGA GCC CAT AAA ACG GTC CTC ATG GCC TGG AGA GGC CTG 495 Glu Gln Phe Arg Ala His Lys Thr Val Leu Met Ala Trp Arg Gly Leu 45 50 55 TTC TAT AGC ATC TTT ACA GAC CAG TTG AAA TGC AAC CTT AGT GTG ATC 543 Phe Tyr Ser Ile Phe Thr Asp Gln Leu Lys Cys Asn Leu Ser Val Ile 60 65 70 AAT CTA GAT CCT GAG ATC AAC CCT GAG GGA TTC TGC ATC CTC CTG GAC 591 Asn Leu Asp Pro Glu Ile Asn Pro Glu Gly Phe Cys Ile Leu Leu Asp 75 80 85 TTC ATG TAC ACA TCT CGG CTC AAT TTG CGG GAG GGC AAC ATC ATG GCT 639 Phe Met Tyr Thr Ser Arg Leu Asn Leu Arg Glu Gly Asn Ile Met Ala 90 95 100 GTG ATG GCC ACG GCT ATG TAC CTG CAG ATG GAG CAT GTT GTG GAC ACT 687 Val Met Ala Thr Ala Met Tyr Leu Gln Met Glu His Val Val Asp Thr 105 110 115 120 TGC CGG AAG TTT ATT AAG GCC AGT GAA GCA GAG ATG GTT TCT GCC ATC 735 Cys Arg Lys Phe Ile Lys Ala Ser Glu Ala Glu Met Val Ser Ala Ile 125 130 135 AAG CCT CCT CGT GAA GAG TTC CTC AAC AGC CGG ATG CTG ATG CCC CAA 783 Lys Pro Pro Arg Glu Glu Phe Leu Asn Ser Arg Met Leu Met Pro Gln 140 145 150 GAC ATC ATG GCC TAT CGG GGT CGT GAG GTG GTG GAG AAC AAC CTG CCA 831 Asp Ile Met Ala Tyr Arg Gly Arg Glu Val Val Glu Asn Asn Leu Pro 155 160 165 CTG AGG AGC GCC CCT GGG TGT GAG AGC AGA GCC TTT GCC CCC AGC CTG 879 Leu Arg Ser Ala Pro Gly Cys Glu Ser Arg Ala Phe Ala Pro Ser Leu 170 175 180 TAC AGT GGC CTG TCC ACA CCG CCA GCC TCT TAT TCC ATG TAC AGC CAC 927 Tyr Ser Gly Leu Ser Thr Pro Pro Ala Ser Tyr Ser Met Tyr Ser His 185 190 195 200 CTC CCT GTC AGC AGC CTC CTC TTC TCC GAT GAG GAG TTT CGG GAT GTC 975 Leu Pro Val Ser Ser Leu Leu Phe Ser Asp Glu Glu Phe Arg Asp Val 205 210 215 CGG ATG CCT GTG GCC AAC CCC TTC CCC AAG GAG CGG GCA CTC CCA TGT 1023 Arg Met Pro Val Ala Asn Pro Phe Pro Lys Glu Arg Ala Leu Pro Cys 220 225 230 GAT AGT GCC AGG CCA GTC CCT GGT GAG TAC AGC CGG CCG ACT TTG GAG 1071 Asp Ser Ala Arg Pro Val Pro Gly Glu Tyr Ser Arg Pro Thr Leu Glu 235 240 245 GTG TCC CCC AAT GTG TGC CAC AGC AAT ATC TAT TCA CCC AAG GAA ACA 1119 Val Ser Pro Asn Val Cys His Ser Asn Ile Tyr Ser Pro Lys Glu Thr 250 255 260 ATC CCA GAA GAG GCA CGA AGT GAT ATG CAC TAC AGT GTG GCT GAG GGC 1167 Ile Pro Glu Glu Ala Arg Ser Asp Met His Tyr Ser Val Ala Glu Gly 265 270 275 280 CTC AAA CCT GCT GCC CCC TCA GCC CGA AAT GCC CCC TAC TTC CCT TGT 1215 Leu Lys Pro Ala Ala Pro Ser Ala Arg Asn Ala Pro Tyr Phe Pro Cys 285 290 295 GAC AAG GCC AGC AAA GAA GAA GAG AGA CCC TCC TCG GAA GAT GAG ATT 1263 Asp Lys Ala Ser Lys Glu Glu Glu Arg Pro Ser Ser Glu Asp Glu Ile 300 305 310 GCC CTG CAT TTC GAG CCC CCC AAT GCA CCC CTG AAC CGG AAG GGT CTG 1311 Ala Leu His Phe Glu Pro Pro Asn Ala Pro Leu Asn Arg Lys Gly Leu 315 320 325 GTT AGT CCA CAG AGC CCC CAG AAA TCT GAC TGC CAG CCC AAC TCG CCC 1359 Val Ser Pro Gln Ser Pro Gln Lys Ser Asp Cys Gln Pro Asn Ser Pro 330 335 340 ACA GAG GCC TGC AGC AGT AAG AAT GCC TGC ATC CTC CAG GGT TCT GGC 1407 Thr Glu Ala Cys Ser Ser Lys Asn Ala Cys Ile Leu Gln Gly Ser Gly 345 350 355 360 TCC CCT CCA GCC AAG AGC CCC ACT GAC CCC AAA GCC TGC AGC TGG AAG 1455 Ser Pro Pro Ala Lys Ser Pro Thr Asp Pro Lys Ala Cys Ser Trp Lys 365 370 375 AAA TAC AAG TTC ATC GTG CTC AAC AGC CTC AAC CAG AAT GCC AAA CCA 1503 Lys Tyr Lys Phe Ile Val Leu Asn Ser Leu Asn Gln Asn Ala Lys Pro 380 385 390 GGG GGG CCT GAG CAG GCT GAG CTG GGC CGC CTT TCC CCA CGA GCC TAC 1551 Gly Gly Pro Glu Gln Ala Glu Leu Gly Arg Leu Ser Pro Arg Ala Tyr 395 400 405 ACG GCC CCA CCT GCC TGC CAG CCA CCC ATG GAG CCT GAG AAC CTT GAC 1599 Thr Ala Pro Pro Ala Cys Gln Pro Pro Met Glu Pro Glu Asn Leu Asp 410 415 420 CTC CAG TCC CCA ACC AAG CTG AGT GCC AGC GGG GAG GAC TCC ACC ATC 1647 Leu Gln Ser Pro Thr Lys Leu Ser Ala Ser Gly Glu Asp Ser Thr Ile 425 430 435 440 CCA CAA GCC AGC CGG CTC AAT AAC ATC GTT AAC AGG TCC ATG ACG GGC 1695 Pro Gln Ala Ser Arg Leu Asn Asn Ile Val Asn Arg Ser Met Thr Gly 445 450 455 TCT CCC CGC AGC AGC AGC GAG AGC CAC TCA CCA CTC TAC ATG CAC CCC 1743 Ser Pro Arg Ser Ser Ser Glu Ser His Ser Pro Leu Tyr Met His Pro 460 465 470 CCG AAG TGC ACG TCC TGC GGC TCT CAG TCC CCA CAG CAT GCA GAG ATG 1791 Pro Lys Cys Thr Ser Cys Gly Ser Gln Ser Pro Gln His Ala Glu Met 475 480 485 TGC CTC CAC ACC GCT GGC CCC ACG TTC GCT GAG GAG ATG GGA GAG ACC 1839 Cys Leu His Thr Ala Gly Pro Thr Phe Ala Glu Glu Met Gly Glu Thr 490 495 500 CAG TCT GAG TAC TCA GAT TCT AGC TGT GAG AAC GGG GCC TTC TTC TGC 1887 Gln Ser Glu Tyr Ser Asp Ser Ser Cys Glu Asn Gly Ala Phe Phe Cys 505 510 515 520 AAT GAG TGT GAC TGC CGC TTC TCT GAG GAG GCC TCA CTC AAG AGG CAC 1935 Asn Glu Cys Asp Cys Arg Phe Ser Glu Glu Ala Ser Leu Lys Arg His 525 530 535 ACG CTG CAG ACC CAC AGT GAC AAA CCC TAC AAG TGT GAC CGC TGC CAG 1983 Thr Leu Gln Thr His Ser Asp Lys Pro Tyr Lys Cys Asp Arg Cys Gln 540 545 550 GCC TCC TTC CGC TAC AAG GGC AAC CTC GCC AGC CAC AAG ACC GTC CAT 2031 Ala Ser Phe Arg Tyr Lys Gly Asn Leu Ala Ser His Lys Thr Val His 555 560 565 ACC GGT GAG AAA CCC TAT CGT TGC AAC ATC TGT GGG GCC CAG TTC AAC 2079 Thr Gly Glu Lys Pro Tyr Arg Cys Asn Ile Cys Gly Ala Gln Phe Asn 570 575 580 CGG CCA GCC AAC CTG AAA ACC CAC ACT CGA ATT CAC TCT GGA GAG AAG 2127 Arg Pro Ala Asn Leu Lys Thr His Thr Arg Ile His Ser Gly Glu Lys 585 590 595 600 CCC TAC AAA TGC GAA ACC TGC GGA GCC AGA TTT GTA CAG GTG GCC CAC 2175 Pro Tyr Lys Cys Glu Thr Cys Gly Ala Arg Phe Val Gln Val Ala His 605 610 615 CTC CGT GCC CAT GTG CTT ATC CAC ACT GGT GAG AAG CCC TAT CCC TGT 2223 Leu Arg Ala His Val Leu Ile His Thr Gly Glu Lys Pro Tyr Pro Cys 620 625 630 GAA ATC TGT GGC ACC CGT TTC CGG CAC CTT CAG ACT CTG AAG AGC CAC 2271 Glu Ile Cys Gly Thr Arg Phe Arg His Leu Gln Thr Leu Lys Ser His 635 640 645 CTG CGA ATC CAC ACA GGA GAG AAA CCT TAC CAT TGT GAG AAG TGT AAC 2319 Leu Arg Ile His Thr Gly Glu Lys Pro Tyr His Cys Glu Lys Cys Asn 650 655 660 CTG CAT TTC CGT CAC AAA AGC CAG CTG CGA CTT CAC TTG CGC CAG AAG 2367 Leu His Phe Arg His Lys Ser Gln Leu Arg Leu His Leu Arg Gln Lys 665 670 675 680 CAT GGC GCC ATC ACC AAC ACC AAG GTG CAA TAC CGC GTG TCA GCC ACT 2415 His Gly Ala Ile Thr Asn Thr Lys Val Gln Tyr Arg Val Ser Ala Thr 685 690 695 GAC CTG CCT CCG GAG CTC CCC AAA GCC TGC TGAAGCATGG AGTGTTGATG 2465 Asp Leu Pro Pro Glu Leu Pro Lys Ala Cys 700 705 CTTTCGTCTC CAGCCCCTTC TCAGAATCTA CCCAAAGGAT ACTGTAACAC TTTACAATGT 2525 TCATCCCATG ATGTAGTGCC TCTTTCATCC ACTAGTGCAA ATCATAGCTG GGGGTTGGGG 2585 GTGGTGGGGG TCGGGGCCTG GGGGACTGGG AGCCGCAGCA GCTCCCCCTC CCCCACTGCC 2645 ATAAAACATT AAGAAAATCA TATTGCTTCT TCTCCTATGT GNNNNNNNNN NNNNNNNNNN 2705 NNNNNNNNNN NNNNNNNNNN NNNNNNNNNN NNNNNNNNNN NNNNNNNNNN NNNNNNNNNN 2765 NNNNNNNNNN NNNNNNNNNN NNNNNNNNNN NNNNNNNNNN NNNNNNNNNN NNNNNNNNNN 2825 NNNNNNNNNN NNNNNNNNNN NNNNNNNNNN NNNNNNNNNN NNNNNNNNNN NNNNNNNNNN 2885 NNNNNNNNNN NNNNNNNNNN NNNNNNNNNN NNNNNNNNNN NNNNNNNNNN NNNNNNNNNN 2945 NNNNNNNNNN NNNNNNNNNN NNNNNNNNNN NNNNNNNNNN NNNNNNNNNN NNNNNNNNNN 3005 NNNNNNNNNN NNNNNNNNNN NNNNNNNNNN NNNNNNNNNN NNNNNNNNNN NNNNNNNNNN 3065 NNNNNNNNNN NNNNNNNNNN NNNNNNNNNN NNNNNNNNNN NNNNNNNNNN NNNNNNNNNN 3125 NNNNNNNNNN NNNNNNNNNN NNNNNNNNNN NNNNNNNNNN NNNNNNNNNN NNNNNNNNNN 3185 NNNNNNNNNN NNNNNNNNNN NNNNNNNNNN NNNNNNNNNN NNNNNNNNNN NNNNNNNNNN 3245 NTTTAAGTAT TGCATCTGTA TAAGTAAGAA AATATTTTGT CTAAAATGCC TCAGTGTATT 3305 TGTATTTTTT TGCAAGTGGG GGGTTACAAT TTACCCAGTG TGTATTAAAA AAAACCCAAA 3365 GAACCCAAAA ATCTCCAGAA GGAAAAATGT GTAATTTTGT TCTAGTTTTC AGTTTGTATA 3425 TACCCGTACA ACGTGTCCTC ACGGTGCCTT TTTTCACGGA AGTTTTCAAT GATGGGCGAG 3485 CGTGCACCAT CCCTTTTTGA AGTGTAGGCA GACACAGGGA CTTGAAGTTG TTACTAACTA 3545 AACTCTCTTT GGGAATGTTT GTCTCATCCC ANTCTGCGTC ATGCTTGTGT GATAACTACT 3605 CCGGAGACAG GGTTTGGCTG TGTCTAAACT GCATTACCGC GTTGTAAAAA ATAGCTGTAC 3665 CAATATAAGA ATAAAATGTT GGAAAGTCGC AAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAA AAAAA 3720 706 amino acids amino acid linear protein not provided 2 Met Ala Ser Pro Ala Asp Ser Cys Ile Gln Phe Thr Arg His Ala Arg 1 5 10 15 Asp Val Leu Leu Asn Leu Asn Arg Leu Arg Ser Arg Asp Ile Leu Thr 20 25 30 Asp Val Val Ile Val Val Ser Arg Glu Gln Phe Arg Ala His Lys Thr 35 40 45 Val Leu Met Ala Trp Arg Gly Leu Phe Tyr Ser Ile Phe Thr Asp Gln 50 55 60 Leu Lys Cys Asn Leu Ser Val Ile Asn Leu Asp Pro Glu Ile Asn Pro 65 70 75 80 Glu Gly Phe Cys Ile Leu Leu Asp Phe Met Tyr Thr Ser Arg Leu Asn 85 90 95 Leu Arg Glu Gly Asn Ile Met Ala Val Met Ala Thr Ala Met Tyr Leu 100 105 110 Gln Met Glu His Val Val Asp Thr Cys Arg Lys Phe Ile Lys Ala Ser 115 120 125 Glu Ala Glu Met Val Ser Ala Ile Lys Pro Pro Arg Glu Glu Phe Leu 130 135 140 Asn Ser Arg Met Leu Met Pro Gln Asp Ile Met Ala Tyr Arg Gly Arg 145 150 155 160 Glu Val Val Glu Asn Asn Leu Pro Leu Arg Ser Ala Pro Gly Cys Glu 165 170 175 Ser Arg Ala Phe Ala Pro Ser Leu Tyr Ser Gly Leu Ser Thr Pro Pro 180 185 190 Ala Ser Tyr Ser Met Tyr Ser His Leu Pro Val Ser Ser Leu Leu Phe 195 200 205 Ser Asp Glu Glu Phe Arg Asp Val Arg Met Pro Val Ala Asn Pro Phe 210 215 220 Pro Lys Glu Arg Ala Leu Pro Cys Asp Ser Ala Arg Pro Val Pro Gly 225 230 235 240 Glu Tyr Ser Arg Pro Thr Leu Glu Val Ser Pro Asn Val Cys His Ser 245 250 255 Asn Ile Tyr Ser Pro Lys Glu Thr Ile Pro Glu Glu Ala Arg Ser Asp 260 265 270 Met His Tyr Ser Val Ala Glu Gly Leu Lys Pro Ala Ala Pro Ser Ala 275 280 285 Arg Asn Ala Pro Tyr Phe Pro Cys Asp Lys Ala Ser Lys Glu Glu Glu 290 295 300 Arg Pro Ser Ser Glu Asp Glu Ile Ala Leu His Phe Glu Pro Pro Asn 305 310 315 320 Ala Pro Leu Asn Arg Lys Gly Leu Val Ser Pro Gln Ser Pro Gln Lys 325 330 335 Ser Asp Cys Gln Pro Asn Ser Pro Thr Glu Ala Cys Ser Ser Lys Asn 340 345 350 Ala Cys Ile Leu Gln Gly Ser Gly Ser Pro Pro Ala Lys Ser Pro Thr 355 360 365 Asp Pro Lys Ala Cys Ser Trp Lys Lys Tyr Lys Phe Ile Val Leu Asn 370 375 380 Ser Leu Asn Gln Asn Ala Lys Pro Gly Gly Pro Glu Gln Ala Glu Leu 385 390 395 400 Gly Arg Leu Ser Pro Arg Ala Tyr Thr Ala Pro Pro Ala Cys Gln Pro 405 410 415 Pro Met Glu Pro Glu Asn Leu Asp Leu Gln Ser Pro Thr Lys Leu Ser 420 425 430 Ala Ser Gly Glu Asp Ser Thr Ile Pro Gln Ala Ser Arg Leu Asn Asn 435 440 445 Ile Val Asn Arg Ser Met Thr Gly Ser Pro Arg Ser Ser Ser Glu Ser 450 455 460 His Ser Pro Leu Tyr Met His Pro Pro Lys Cys Thr Ser Cys Gly Ser 465 470 475 480 Gln Ser Pro Gln His Ala Glu Met Cys Leu His Thr Ala Gly Pro Thr 485 490 495 Phe Ala Glu Glu Met Gly Glu Thr Gln Ser Glu Tyr Ser Asp Ser Ser 500 505 510 Cys Glu Asn Gly Ala Phe Phe Cys Asn Glu Cys Asp Cys Arg Phe Ser 515 520 525 Glu Glu Ala Ser Leu Lys Arg His Thr Leu Gln Thr His Ser Asp Lys 530 535 540 Pro Tyr Lys Cys Asp Arg Cys Gln Ala Ser Phe Arg Tyr Lys Gly Asn 545 550 555 560 Leu Ala Ser His Lys Thr Val His Thr Gly Glu Lys Pro Tyr Arg Cys 565 570 575 Asn Ile Cys Gly Ala Gln Phe Asn Arg Pro Ala Asn Leu Lys Thr His 580 585 590 Thr Arg Ile His Ser Gly Glu Lys Pro Tyr Lys Cys Glu Thr Cys Gly 595 600 605 Ala Arg Phe Val Gln Val Ala His Leu Arg Ala His Val Leu Ile His 610 615 620 Thr Gly Glu Lys Pro Tyr Pro Cys Glu Ile Cys Gly Thr Arg Phe Arg 625 630 635 640 His Leu Gln Thr Leu Lys Ser His Leu Arg Ile His Thr Gly Glu Lys 645 650 655 Pro Tyr His Cys Glu Lys Cys Asn Leu His Phe Arg His Lys Ser Gln 660 665 670 Leu Arg Leu His Leu Arg Gln Lys His Gly Ala Ile Thr Asn Thr Lys 675 680 685 Val Gln Tyr Arg Val Ser Ala Thr Asp Leu Pro Pro Glu Leu Pro Lys 690 695 700 Ala Cys 705 103 amino acids amino acid single linear peptide not provided 3 Asp Gly Ser Phe Val Gln His Ser Val Arg Val Leu Gln Glu Leu Asn 1 5 10 15 Lys Gln Arg Glu Lys Gly Gln Tyr Cys Asp Ala Thr Leu Asp Val Gly 20 25 30 Gly Leu Val Phe Lys Ala His Trp Ser Val Leu Ala Cys Cys Ser His 35 40 45 Phe Phe Gln Ser Leu Tyr Gly Asp Gly Ser Gly Gly Ser Val Val Leu 50 55 60 Pro Ala Gly Phe Ala Glu Ile Phe Gly Leu Leu Leu Asp Phe Phe Tyr 65 70 75 80 Thr Gly His Leu Ala Leu Thr Ser Gly Asn Arg Asp Gln Val Leu Leu 85 90 95 Ala Ala Arg Glu Leu Arg Val 100 107 amino acids amino acid single linear peptide not provided 4 Met Asp Thr Ala Ser His Ser Leu Val Leu Leu Gln Gln Leu Asn Met 1 5 10 15 Gln Arg Glu Phe Gly Phe Leu Cys Asp Cys Thr Val Ala Ile Gly Asp 20 25 30 Val Tyr Phe Lys Ala His Arg Ala Val Leu Ala Ala Phe Ser Asn Tyr 35 40 45 Phe Lys Met Ile Phe Ile His Gln Thr Ser Glu Cys Ile Lys Ile Gln 50 55 60 Pro Thr Asp Ile Gln Pro Asp Ile Phe Ser Tyr Leu Leu His Ile Met 65 70 75 80 Tyr Thr Gly Lys Gly Pro Lys Gln Ile Val Asp His Ser Arg Leu Glu 85 90 95 Glu Gly Ile Arg Phe Leu His Ala Asp Tyr Leu 100 105 106 amino acids amino acid single linear peptide not provided 5 Met Asn Asn Ser Ser Glu Leu Ile Ala Val Ile Asn Gly Phe Arg Asn 1 5 10 15 Ser Gly Arg Phe Cys Asp Ile Ser Ile Val Ile Asn Asp Glu Arg Ile 20 25 30 Asn Ala His Lys Leu Ile Leu Ser Gly Ala Ser Glu Tyr Phe Ser Ile 35 40 45 Leu Phe Ser Asn Asn Phe Ile Asp Ser Asn Glu Tyr Glu Val Asn Leu 50 55 60 Ser His Leu Asp Tyr Gln Ser Val Asn Asp Leu Ile Asp Tyr Ile Tyr 65 70 75 80 Gly Ile Pro Leu Ser Leu Thr Asn Asp Asn Val Lys Tyr Ile Leu Ser 85 90 95 Thr Ala Asp Phe Leu Gln Ile Gly Ser Ala 100 105 108 amino acids amino acid single linear peptide not provided 6 Cys Leu Arg Trp Asn Asn His Gln Ser Asn Leu Leu Ser Val Phe Asp 1 5 10 15 Gln Leu Leu His Ala Glu Thr Phe Thr Asp Val Thr Leu Ala Val Glu 20 25 30 Gly Gln His Leu Lys Ala His Lys Asn Val Leu Ser Ala Cys Ser Pro 35 40 45 Tyr Phe Asn Thr Leu Phe Val Ser His Pro Glu Lys His Pro Ile Val 50 55 60 Ile Leu Lys Asp Val Pro Tyr Ser Asp Met Lys Ser Leu Leu Asp Phe 65 70 75 80 Met Tyr Arg Gly Glu Val Ser Val Asp Gln Glu Arg Leu Thr Ala Phe 85 90 95 Leu Arg Val Ala Glu Ser Leu Arg Ile Lys Gly Leu 100 105 109 amino acids amino acid single linear peptide not provided 7 Gln Tyr Ser Asn Glu Gln His Thr Ala Arg Ser Phe Asp Ala Met Asn 1 5 10 15 Glu Met Arg Lys Gln Lys Gln Leu Cys Asp Val Ile Leu Val Ala Asp 20 25 30 Asp Val Glu Ile His Ala His Arg Met Val Leu Ala Ser Cys Ser Pro 35 40 45 Tyr Phe Tyr Ala Met Phe Thr Ser Phe Glu Glu Ser Arg Gln Ala Arg 50 55 60 Ile Thr Leu Gln Ser Val Asp Ala Arg Ala Leu Glu Leu Leu Ile Asp 65 70 75 80 Tyr Val Tyr Thr Ala Thr Val Glu Val Asn Glu Asp Asn Val Gln Val 85 90 95 Leu Leu Thr Ala Ala Asn Leu Leu Gln Leu Thr Asp Val 100 105 105 amino acids amino acid single linear DNA (genomic) not provided 8 Gln Leu Gln Asn Pro Ser His Pro Thr Gly Leu Leu Cys Lys Ala Asn 1 5 10 15 Gln Met Arg Leu Ala Gly Thr Leu Cys Asp Val Val Ile Met Val Asp 20 25 30 Ser Gln Glu Phe His Ala His Arg Thr Val Leu Ala Cys Thr Ser Lys 35 40 45 Met Phe Glu Ile Leu Phe His Arg Asn Ser Gln His Tyr Thr Leu Asp 50 55 60 Phe Leu Ser Pro Lys Thr Phe Gln Gln Ile Leu Glu Tyr Ala Tyr Thr 65 70 75 80 Ala Thr Leu Gln Ala Lys Ala Glu Asp Leu Asp Asp Leu Leu Tyr Ala 85 90 95 Ala Glu Ile Leu Glu Ile Glu Tyr Leu 100 105 110 amino acids amino acid single linear peptide not provided 9 Cys Leu Gln Phe Thr Arg His Ala Ser Asp Val Leu Leu Asn Leu Asn 1 5 10 15 Arg Leu Arg Ser Arg Asp Ile Leu Thr Asp Val Val Ile Val Val Ser 20 25 30 Arg Glu Gln Phe Arg Ala His Lys Thr Val Leu Met Ala Cys Ser Gly 35 40 45 Leu Phe Tyr Ser Ile Phe Thr Asp Gln Leu Lys Cys Asn Leu Ser Val 50 55 60 Ile Asn Leu Asp Pro Glu Ile Asn Pro Glu Gly Phe Cys Ile Leu Leu 65 70 75 80 Asp Phe Met Tyr Thr Ser Arg Leu Asn Leu Arg Glu Gly Asn Ile Met 85 90 95 Ala Val Met Ala Thr Ala Met Tyr Leu Gln Met Glu His Val 100 105 110 16 amino acids amino acid single linear protein not provided 10 Lys Ser Asp Cys Gln Pro Asn Ser Pro Thr Glu Ser Cys Ser Ser Lys 1 5 10 15 7 amino acids amino acid single linear protein not provided 11 Lys Ser Pro Thr Asp Pro Lys 1 5 25 amino acids amino acid single linear protein not provided 12 Arg Ala Tyr Thr Ala Pro Pro Ala Cys Gln Pro Pro Met Glu Pro Glu 1 5 10 15 Asn Leu Asp Leu Gln Ser Pro Thr Lys 20 25 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of degrading BCL-6 in cells comprising: administering a molecule which induces phosphorylation of BCL-6 and thereby induces BCL-6 degradation.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the molecule which induces phosphorylation of the BCL-6 is a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK).
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the molecule which induces phosphorylation of the BCL-6 is a functionally active mutant of a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK).
 4. The method of claim 2 wherein the MAPK is ERK-1 or ERK-2.
 5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the BCL-6 is phosphorylated either at one site or at multiple sites.
 6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the molecule which induces phosphorylation of the BCL-6 is a molecule which activates an antigen receptor on B cell surfaces.
 7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the molecule which activates an antigen receptor on B cell surfaces is an antibody.
 8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the antibody is an anti-IgM antibody.
 9. The method of claim 6 , wherein the molecule which activates an antigen receptor on B cell surfaces is a molecule which activates MAPK in B cells.
 10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the molecule which activates MAPK in B cells is a cytokine.
 11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the cytokine is TNF, IL-6, or IL-2.
 12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the molecule is cross-linked to a B cell antigen receptor to activate the receptor.
 13. The method of claim 1 , wherein cross-linking the molecule to the B cell antigen receptor activates the MAPK.
 14. A method of treating a subject with lymphoma which comprises: administering an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a molecule which induces phosphorylation of BCL-6 protein so as to induce degradation of BCL-6 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, thereby treating the subject with lymphoma.
 15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the lymphoma expresses BCL-6.
 16. The method of claim 14 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition comprises a MAPK activator.
 17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the MAPK activator is an antibody.
 18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the antibody is an anti-IgM antibody.
 19. The method of claim 16 , wherein the MAPK activator is a cytokine.
 20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the cytokine is TNF, IL-6, or IL-2.
 21. The method of claim 14 , wherein the lymphoma is a B-cell lymphoma.
 22. The method of claim 21 , wherein the B-cell lymphoma is derived from germinal center B cells.
 23. The method of claim 14 , wherein the administration of the pharmaceutical composition is intravenous or intratumor.
 24. A method of regulating deceasing BCL-6 levels in cells comprising administering a compound which interferes with transcription of bcl-6 and thereby prevents expression of BCL-6 protein so as to thereby deceasing BCL-6 levels in the cells.
 25. The method of claim 24 , wherein the compound which interferes with transcription of bcl-6 prevents binding of a transcription factor and histone acetylase/deacetylase complexes.
 26. The method of claim 25 , wherein the compound is N,N′-hexamethylene bisacetamide (HMBA) or trichostatin.
 27. A method of treating lymphoma comprising decreasing BCL-6 levels in cells comprising the method of claim 24 . 